LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Freddie Freeman's left index finger was nearly broken in June when he got hit sliding into second base by a throw from Miami shortstop Jose Reyes, and his eyes were so troublesome that Freeman sometimes changed contacts three times in one inning and still had blurry vision.

The 23-year-old Braves first baseman nonethless mustered 23 homers, a team-high 94 RBIs and a .796 OPS in his second major league season. Freeman didn’t miss much playing time, but said the sore  finger affected his swing and that he couldn’t make a fist without pain until the first week of January.

“Now I feel strong, I feel great, I feel healthy,” he said. “That’s all I can ask for.”

Despite health issues, Freeman improved in several categories over his strong 2011 rookie season, setting career-bests in doubles (33), home runs, RBIs and OPS, while his batting average dropped from .282 to .259 and his on-base percentage from .346 to .340.

The 6-foot-5 Californian reported to camp at 237 pounds, 11 below his reporting weight a year ago. He lost the weight while working out with teammate Dan Uggla during the offseason and following the same lean-meat and fruit-and-vegetable-heavy diet that Uggla used for the first time. Uggla shed about 10 pounds and four percent body fat.

“It’s something I wanted to do, feel leaner,” Freeman said. “It was a lot of fun just changing things up. We worked out together, did everything together this offseason. It was a lot of work, and hopefully it pays off.”

Freeman said he also got his frustrating eye situation under control with new contacts and lubricant. He said he’ll wear a pair of custom-made clear sunglasses on the field – but not while hitting -- to keep out irritants. The glasses should arrive this week.

“The way I hit, the nosepiece gets in the way and I can’t see,” he said. “So I’ll take them off when I hit.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Braves first base Matt Olson (28) looks down at the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Truist Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Atlanta. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said joining neighboring states to form a new accreditation agency will “keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation." (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC