SAN DIEGO — Going into Game 4 of their National League Division Series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Freddie Freeman was a game-time decision with his injured right ankle. But the decision was already made. The first lineup that was announced for Game 4 had Freeman penciled in at first base. Not long before game time, though, a new lineup came out with Freeman scratched. “Back to back days, it’s a little tough,” Freeman said after the game. “So we just decided at breakfast that I wasn’t going to play. It was a little gamesmanship.” Freeman has been receiving treatment and painkilling injections in order to play. He played all of Game 1 and went 2 for 5. But he was removed after five innings of Game 2. After a day off Monday, he played seven innings of Game 3. The condition of his ankle didn’t change, Freeman said. But the decision was made not to push it on back-to-back days again. “Every day, like I said, day to day,” Freeman said. “(I’m) just happy to get a Game 5 and get a chance. Had a full day’s rest today. Didn’t even try to run on it. So tomorrow we’ll go through treatment and see how we go.” Roberts said he and Freeman “had a good conversation” about not pushing him too much. No decision has been made about Game 5 yet, Roberts indicated. “What he’s been doing for us has been unbelievable,” Max Muncy said. “But you can’t ask a guy to go out there and put his body on the line every single night like that. I know it’s the playoffs. But what he’s doing has been Gladiator-style for us. We definitely appreciate it.” With Freeman out, Muncy moved to first base – a position he had played for just five innings since the end of the 2021 season. In the final game of the regular season that year, Muncy reached into the baserunner for an errant throw and suffered an elbow injury that kept him out of the postseason and still affected him during the 2022 season. Related Articles Los Angeles Dodgers | Dodgers force Game 5 in NLDS with bullpen shutout of Padres Los Angeles Dodgers | NLDS Game 4: Dodgers at Padres, lineups, starting pitchers, TV info Los Angeles Dodgers | Alexander: Padres again push Dodgers to edge of cliff in NLDS Los Angeles Dodgers | Bryce Miller: Pregame theatrics give way to rollicking baseball between Padres and Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers | Dodgers on brink of elimination after Padres take Game 3 of NLDS “Well, besides the ball up the line – for obvious reasons – it’s a position I’m very comfortable at,” Muncy said earlier in the week. “I’ve played most of my career there, almost won a Gold Glove there. It’s a spot that kind of comes naturally. “If I have to go over there, the only thing that would worry me is that it’s because Freddie’s not in the game. But as for myself, it wouldn’t be a big issue.” Additionally, shortstop Miguel Rojas was not in the Game 4 lineup after aggravating his strained adductor muscle and leaving Game 3 early. “Miggy Ro is banged up,” Roberts said. “I don’t think he’s even available but maybe in a pinch-hit spot. The plan is to win tonight, give them tomorrow off and be ready potentially for Game 5.” Neither Freeman nor Rojas was moved off the roster. If they were dropped for injury reasons, they would not eligible for a potential NL Championship Series. That left the Dodgers with a two-man bench for Game 4 – rookie outfielder Andy Pages and backup catcher Austin Barnes. UP NEXT NLDS Game 5: Padres (RHP Yu Darvish, 1-0, 1.29 ERA) at Dodgers (TBA), Friday, 5:08 p.m., Fox (Ch. 11), 570 AM