Freddie Freeman returns to Dodgers to 1-minute standing ovation, gives tearful update on son with Guillain-Barré syndrome

One day after announcing that his 3-year-old son Max was home from the hospital after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Freddie Freeman returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday night.

When he made his first appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies, the All-Star first baseman was greeted by Dodgers fans with a minute-long standing ovation.

Freeman recognized the crowd that erupted in chants of Freddie, Freddie, Freddie. He then took the plate, where he went 1 for 4 in the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory. When he scored in the third inning, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper greeted him with a hug.

Freeman went to care for his sick son

The game was Freeman’s first since July 25, an eight-game stretch. He and his wife Chelsea announced on August 1 in a joint Instagram post that Max had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and that Freeman had been placed by the Dodgers on the family emergency list.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disease which is believed to be triggered by a viral or bacterial infection, among other potential causes. According to the CDC, affects one or two in every 100,000 people in the US in a given year.

Per the Mayo Clinic, attacks the nervous system and can cause weakness, numbness or paralysis. The Freemans wrote in the family’s announcement last week that “Max declined rapidly and became paralyzed throughout his body.”

Guillain-Barré syndrome has no known cure, but most people make a full recovery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Complete recovery can take several yearsbut “most people are able to walk again six months after the onset of symptoms,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Freemans wrote in their Instagram post: “We have faith that he will be completely healed. We have been impressed with his improvements over the last 48 hours.”

Freeman gives pre-game update on Max

Freeman provided an exciting update on Max’s condition ahead of Monday’s game. He wore a t-shirt that said #MaxStrong as he spoke to reporters.

Freeman then paused to hold back tears.

“He’s fine. He’s on his way to getting better.”

A reporter then asked Freeman how he was doing.

Freeman details the family’s harrowing experience

Freeman went on to provide details of Max and his family’s experience over the past few weeks. He said Max woke up limping on the morning of Monday, July 22, and by Monday night he was unable to walk. On Tuesday, he couldn’t sit down.

Freeman was still with the team at the time. He was pulled from a July 24 game against the San Francisco Giants when Chelsea called the team to say they were taking Max to the emergency room. Max wasn’t eating or drinking.

Doctors at the time thought Max was dealing with a hip syndrome called transient synovitis which causes swelling and pain in the hip and is most commonly found in children aged 3 to 10 years. They sent Max home with a plan to treat him with medication.

Max was not diagnosed with Guillain-Barré until a pediatrician on July 26 told the Freemans to take Max back to the hospital. Freeman said Max was placed on a ventilator after being admitted to the hospital.

That was six days before the Freemans went public with Max’s diagnosis and wrote about his recovery.

After Monday’s game, Freeman spoke with MLB Network about the support he received from Dodgers fans upon his return.

“I can’t thank the Dodgers fans enough. It made it that much more special to be able to come back and win.

“When you’re crying on a Major League Baseball field, it’s very difficult to hit the pitch that’s coming. It’s incredible the love and support that Chelsea and I have received over the last eight, nine days.”