Freeman's return will be closely watched after virus fight

Freddie Freeman is back and ready to anchor the Braves' lineup after a scary battle with COVID-19 earlier in summer camp.

The 30-year-old Freeman had career highs last season with 38 homers and 121 RBIs. The four-time All-Star hopes to lead Atlanta back to the top of the NL East for the third straight season.

The Braves are just happy Freeman is healthy after he had a fever that got as high as 104.5 degrees early in his illness. His recovery will be closely watched because he had one of MLB's more serious bouts with the virus.

“I feel like I’m a kid in a candy store again,” Freeman said Saturday. “You forget sometimes how much you love this game. I did truly miss it. I was so excited when I got to the yard.”

If Freeman is healthy, he'll join a lineup that includes some of the game's best young players, including Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies.

Here's a look at some other players to watch across MLB during the upcoming 60-game schedule that starts on Thursday. This week's focus in on the NL and AL East Divisions.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES: 1B/DH Chris Davis. The Orioles would love for the veteran to break out of a prolonged slump considering he's in the fourth year of a seven-year, $161 million contract. He looked good in March before the coronavirus-caused delay to the season and can provide homers in bunches when his swing is right.

BOSTON RED SOX: 3B Rafael Devers. The 23-year-old star will be counted on to pick up some of the offensive load without Mookie Betts, who is now with the Dodgers. Devers is coming off a productive 2019 season in which he hit .311 with 32 home runs, 115 RBIs, an AL-leading 54 doubles, and a major league-leading 90 extra-base hits.

NEW YORK YANKEES: OF Giancarlo Stanton. He only played 18 games last year due to various injuries, and...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Freeman-s-return-will-be-closely-watched-after-15424960.php