'SPECIAL BOY'
MLB star Freddie Freeman and wife reveal three-year-old son’s terrifying health scare and rare neurological disorder
Freeman has missed the Dodgers' last five games
MLB star Freddie Freeman and his wife Chelsea have revealed their son Maximus is suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome.
The Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, 34, missed last Friday's game against the Houston Astros as he rushed back to California.
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Freddie and Chelsea, 33, explained his absence in an emotional Instagram post about 3-year-old Maximus' health.
"Last Friday, Max rapidly declined and went into full body paralysis. We are very fortunate to have gotten him to the hospital in time so they could reinforce his lungs," they wrote.
"Freddie was in Houston at the time and rushed to the first flight back home. After many tests, Max is battling a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
"A rare neurological condition that is especially rare in children. These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives.
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"Maximus is such a special boy and he has been fighting SO hard. This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed.
"We have been blown away by his improvements in the last 48 hours. Maximus was excavated from his breathing tube and taken off of the ventilator yesterday, which is a huge win for us.
"We believe in the power of prayer and we have been witnessing a miracle in his recovery.
"Please continue to cover Maximus and our family in your prayers. We really appreciate and have felt all of your support."
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Freeman has missed the Dodgers' past four games.
"In Guillain-Barre syndrome, the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system," per the World Health Organization.
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"The syndrome can affect the nerves that control muscle movement as well as those that transmit pain, temperature, and touch sensations.
"This can result in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/ or arms, and problems swallowing or breathing.
"It is a rare condition, and while it is more common in adults and in males, people of all ages can be affected.
"Symptoms typically last a few weeks, with most individuals recovering without long-term, severe neurological complications."
MLB All-Star starters 2024
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
OF: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
National League
C: William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
1B: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B: Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
3B: Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies)
SS: Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF: Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers)
OF: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Freeman is an eight-time MLB All-Star.
He is hitting .288 with 16 homers, 67 RBIs, and a .888 OPS this season.
The Freemans have three young boys, Charlie, Brandon, and Maximus.
Cavan Biggio and Enrique Hernandez played at first base in Freeman's absence.
The Dodgers face the Oakland Athletics twice over the weekend.
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They are at home against the Philadelphia Phillies next week.