by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese required stitches to close a gash in his right hand that he sustained on Sunday against the Brewers.
Freese sustained the injury while lunging to tag Norichika Aoki, who tried to score from third base in the opening frame. Freese played with the cut and finished 2 for 3. He is hitting .223/.292/.282 with one home run and nine RBI.
David Freese blasts first home run
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/18/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese enjoyed a big night at the plate as he unleashed his first home run of the season Friday night against the Brewers.
Freese launched a grand slam in the first inning off starter Wily Peralta. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and four RBI in a 7-6 victory.
Freese has one hit in six of his last eight games. He is hitting .211 with one home run and eight RBI in 91 at-bats.
David Freese should see ownership rise
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/16/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese has been unspectacular with a .216 average, .546 OPS, and no home runs. But buried in those stats is a recent streak that should offer Freese owners (and would-be owners) hope.
Over 39 at-bats this month, Freese is hitting .282 with a double and four runs scored. Although he spent April dealing with injury and a .216 BABIP, Freese has hit safely in eight of 11 games this month and hashas a .367 BABIP in May.
Owned in just 68 percent of leagues, Freese is quietly getting into a nice groove, and it's only a matter of time until third base speculators take notice. Forget Freese's ugly April and focus on his .296 career average coming into 2013 (Freese's lowest batting average in his four seasons has been .293 and he's seen his power rise as he received more at-bats). Taking a chance on Freese now should mean several months of solid average, along with maybe 12-15 home runs, as he distances himself from the ugly start.
David Freese returns to starting lineup
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese has returned to the team's starting lineup Thursday.
Freese did not play Wednesday for matchup reasons, according to MLB.com. He's struggled this year, hitting .216/.296/.250 in 88 at-bats. Freese will bat sixth against Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese.
David Freese trying to get started
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese has made some strides the past couple of games, but is still looking to go on a prolonged streak.
Freese has hit safely in the team's last five games, but he hasn't produced in any other areas. Freese has yet to hit a home run this season. Through 85 at-bats, Freese is hitting just .224/.298/.259. For now, he continues to be plugged into the middle of the Cardinals' lineup. He'll hit fourth and play first Tuesday against Mets starter Dillon Gee.
David Freese still looking for first homer
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese hit 20 home runs in 567 plate appearances in 2012. This season, he has yet to hit his first after 79 plate appearances.
Hitting .208/.278/.250, Freese has really struggled at home where he's 4 for 25. The Cardinals kick off a 10-game homestand Friday against the Rockies.
Time to steal David Freese off waivers
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) If you're in a league where a Fantasy owner has dropped Cardinals third baseman David Freese, then do yourself a favor and rush to waivers to add him.
I get it. Freese's slow start has made Fantasy owners impatient, but the fact his ownership is about to drop into the 60-percent range is alarming. Freese had a slow start to the season because he suffered another injury and his injury-prone history is troubling. But he's opened May with three multi-hit games and Freese really has more room to run.
The most troubling number to begin the season is Freese has a 5.00 groundball to fly ball ratio, per FanGraphs.com. Come on, folks. That's just astronomically off the charts and you know it won't stay that high. In fact, Freese's GB/FB ratio during his three-game multi-hit streak has been at 2.00, so it's already coming down as his production is rising.
Also, Freese's home run to fly ball ratio is at zero percent and his career average is 15.2 percent. That number really screams the best is yet to come, so it would be silly to cut bait with a player that could be due for a serious positive market correction.
David Freese gets two hits in return
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese went 2 for 3 with one walk, one run and one RBI in his return to the starting lineup Thursday in a 6-5 win over the Brewers. He didn't start each of the past two games while dealing with a slump at the plate.
The two-hit day boosted Freese's line to .192/.288/.231 in 59 plate appearances.
David Freese back in starting lineup Thursday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese was back in the starting lineup Thursday after two days on the bench. Freese is trying to shake off a slow start after hitting .163/.255/.204 in 55 plate appearances in April.
Freese enters Thursday's action 0 for 15 at the plate in his last four games.
Ice cold David Freese remains out of lineup
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese is out of Wednesday's lineup against Cincinnati, his second straight day on the bench, the club announced.
Manager Mike Matheny said the Cardinals will "give him a little bit of time" and see if he can break out of his current funk. Freese has a brutal .459 OPS on the season and is hitless in his last 17 at-bats. It's unclear how long the Cardinals will rest him, but they are understandably digging deep into the bag of tricks in an attempt to melt the ice surrounding Freese's bat.
Freese is 4 for 35 (.114) in his past 11 games, and his average has fallen from .286 to .163 during that span. He did not start Tuesday against the Reds.
"We've tried to let him play through it, but he's not heading in a good direction," Matheny said. "So, at that point you say take a different perspective and give him a little bit of time to see how he responds. Last year we gave him two or three in a row, and he was able to get some work done and was a different guy."
David Freese gets an off day Tuesday
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese is out of Tuesday's lineup against Cincinnati, the club announced.
Freese is 0 for his last 18 and is hitting just .163/.255/.204 in 49 at-bats. His season debut was delayed by a low back strain, as he didn't play his first game until April 8. Matt Carpenter gets the start at third base in his place.
David Freese earns mental break
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Stuck in the midst of a 4-for-28 slump over his past eight games, Cardinals third baseman David Freese was held out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup against Pittsburgh. Freese went 0 for 4 for the second straight game during the series opener Friday to drop his batting average under .200 for the first time since April 8.
Matt Carpenter took his spot at third base, while Daniel Descalso replaced him in the lineup.
David Freese out of Wednesday's lineup
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Nationals, Fox Sports Midwest reports.
Freese had started the four previous games for St. Louis. It's just his third day off since returning from an injury April 8. Matt Carpenter gets the start at third base with Daniel Descalso at second for the Cardinals.
David Freese eager to play every day
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) It's been a rough start for Cardinals third baseman David Freese, who is batting .200 (4 for 20) since coming off the disabled list April 8.
"Since the end of February, I haven’t had that many consistent at-bats," said Freese, who hurt his back in early March, said the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "That’s the aggravating thing and the tough thing to deal with. You try not to play catch-up with the scoreboard and everybody else’s numbers. But it’s going to click eventually. We’ll see where I am 50 games in and 75 games in and we’ll be all right."
Matheny has sat Freese in some games since he came off the disabled list to ease him back into an everyday role, which Freese wants to happen sooner rather than later.
"He knows I’m not liking that," Freese said of sitting on occasion. "I feel good. I hope eventually I’ll be in there every day. He knows how I feel."
David Freese feels fine after return
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese was left out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Reds but it had nothing to do with a health issue.
Freese, who returned from a back injury Monday, is just 1 for 12 (.083) in his career against Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo. Matt Carpenter has had better success against Arroyo (3 for 14) so he received the nod at the hot corner.
Freese told MLB.com that his back felt fine after going 0 for 3 in his season debut. He was able to participate in fielding work and batting practice Tuesday.
David Freese goes hitless off DL
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese made his season debut in Monday's series opener against the Reds.
After spending time on the disabled list due to a back injury, he went 0 for 3 with a strikeout in the 13-4 loss.
Cards activate David Freese from DL
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) As expected, the Cardinals have officially activated third baseman David Freese from the 15-day disabled list, in time for Monday's home opener against the Reds, according to MLB.com.
Freese, who is expected to start at third, will face Mat Latos. He is 4 of 7 with two doubles, three walks and three RBI lifetime against Latos.
David Freese set to be activated Monday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese, who went 3 for 5 with two RBI in a rehab game with Triple-A Memphis Sunday, is expected to be activated in time for Monday's opener against the Reds, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Freese has been on the disabled list with a lower back injury since March 23.
David Freese on track for Monday return
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese, on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back injury, remains on track to join the team by Monday's home opener against the Reds, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Freese went 3 for 5 with two RBI in a rehab game with Triple-A Memphis. It was his first full game at Triple-A.
David Freese responds well to first rehab game
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/6/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese told the team Saturday that his injured back responded well to his first rehab game the previous day, according to MLB.com. Freese is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter in a Triple-A game Saturday and, if all goes well, play fully on Sunday.
Freese may be available to return to the Cardinals for the team's home opener Monday.
David Freese makes rehab debut
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/6/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese appeared in his first minor-league rehab game Friday, his first action since March 22 due to a lower back injury.
Freese went 1 for 4 in the first half of a doubleheader while playing third base. He drove in two runs with a double in the fifth inning for Triple-A Memphis. Freese hopes to return from the disabled list Monday for the team's home opener, and will likely play Saturday and Sunday in Memphis as well.
David Freese's rehab game put on hold
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese had his rehab assignment delayed another day due to a rainout at Triple-A Memphis. Freese, who is working his way back from a lower back injury, could appear in Friday's doubleheader, according to MLB.com.
The 29-year-old is hoping to return to the lineup in time for Monday's home opener against the Reds.
David Freese to rehab with Triple-A team
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) The Cardinals announced Wednesday third baseman David Freese (back) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis Thursday. Freese was originally scheduled to begin playing in extended spring training games Friday.
Freese is hoping to be back in the Cardinals' lineup by Monday's home opener.
David Freese might not be ready by Monday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday third baseman David Freese (back) might not be ready to come off the 15-day disabled list in time for Monday's home opener. Matheny said he would like to see Freese, who will begin playing in extended spring games Friday, complete several games before his activation.
"We have to see how he bounces back," Matheny said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We just don’t have a lot of time to get as much information as we need. Not ruling out that he couldn’t be there on the opener, but also not ruling out that he could need a little more time."
Cardinals to push David Freese at ext. spring training
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that third baseman David Freese could be ready to return from the disabled list as early as next Monday. Freese, who is recovering from a lower back injury, is expected to begin playing in extended spring training games on Friday.
Matheny added he does not want to rush the 29-year-old.
"Let’s not jump ahead too far," Matheny said Monday. "He’s kind of progressing slowly. Let’s push him a little bit and see how he responds without having to throw the end game right at him that he has to be ready by a certain date."
David Freese to stay at spring complex
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese, who is on the 15-day DL with a lower back injury, will remain at the team's spring complex, where he has been taking swings and increasing his workload, MLB.com reports. The 29-year-old is eyeing the team's home opener April 8 as a possible return date.
David Freese scheduled for batting cage Friday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese was able to do leg workouts Thursday and is scheduled to hit in the batting cage Friday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Freese is hoping to play in a minor-league game this weekend. He's recovering from a back injury that necessitated placement on the DL to open the season.
Tired of David Freese?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013)David Freese's DL stint to start the year isn't going to change my opinion of his Fantasy value. I already considered the fact he was injury-prone, which is why I don't view him as more than a low-end Fantasy starter in mixed leagues.
But if you have your draft upcoming, then players in the same tier as Freese that I consider to have equal or more Fantasy value are Will Middlebrooks, Kyle Seager, Kevin Youkilis, Pedro Alvarez and Mike Moustakas. To me those are all suitable replacements if you aren't willing to wait for Freese to return.
David Freese starting on disabled list
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) The Cardinals are placing third baseman David Freese on the disabled list to begin the season, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Tuesday. Freese has a back injury.
St. Louis will return Ryan Jackson to the major-league roster to take Freese's place. The third baseman, expected to begin the year as the starter, underwent an MRI Monday which gave the Cardinals encouraging results.
Unfortunately, after Freese was given an anti-inflammatory injection, it appears the team has decided to shelve him. He'll have his DL stay retroactive to March 23 and should be able to return shortly into the regular season, if healthy.
Jackson will be on the roster until Freese is healthy enough to return. The 25-year-old is hitting .136 this spring over 22 at-bats. He played in 13 games for the Red Birds last year and hit .118 over 17 at-bats without an RBI.
MRI brings good news for David Freese
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese underwent an MRI on Monday on his injured back and general manager John Mozeliak said the team was encouraged by the results, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
No structural damage was found in Freese's back and the third baseman was given an anti-inflammatory injection. He should be cleared to resume playing in games by later in the week.
That said, the Cardinals will have him avoid playing in major league spring training games and keep him on the minor league side of camp so he can be backdated for a disabled list stint, if necessary.
Freese was injured three weeks back when he fell into the stands chasing down a foul ball.
David Freese going for MRI on back
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Cardinals third baseman David Freese will undergo an MRI on his back on Monday. Freese was a late scratch for Sunday's Grapefruit League contest due to lower back discomfort.
“I was given word right at the 11th hour that it tightened up on him,” manager Mike Matheny said. "He was going through his normal workout and it just tightened up. Then he came in here (the clubhouse) and it seemed to tighten up even more.”
Freese is batting .267 (8 for 30) with two homers and five RBI through 12 spring games.
David Freese scratched with back stiffness
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013)David Freese has been scratched from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League game Saturday with back stiffness, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.
Freese has been dealing with a bruised tailbone for much of the month. He suffered the injury in an attempting to chase down a foul ball near the dugout area nearly three weeks ago. It's unclear at this point if the injury will force him to miss any more time.
David Freese hits a home run in return
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese hit a home run in his return to the lineup Thursday.
After missing nearly a week with a sore tailbone, the 29-year-old hit a home run off Mets pitcher Jeremy Hefner in his second at-bat. Freese went hitless in his two other at-bats, and was replaced by Ty Wigginton in the sixth inning.
David Freese returns to lineup
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013)
David Freese could return on Thursday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese could return on Thursday, according to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch. The 30-year-old has been dealing with a bruised tailbone during the spring, limiting him to just 29 plate appearances. Freese broke out last season, hitting .293/.372/.467 in 567 plate appearances.
David Freese still rebounding from fall
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese was held out of the lineup for the second-straight day Saturday as the team tries to ease the lingering discomfort in his back, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Freese is still feeling the effects of the fall he took in the dugout area while chasing a foul ball earlier this month.
Although he is 2 for 10 with five strikeouts since the injury to drop his batting average to .250 this spring, he is not in danger of missing opening day. "I’m just banged up. I need to give it a couple of days," he said Saturday.
Freese hits the field
(3/11/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese was able to play the field in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees after being limited due to a sore tailbone. He went 1 for 3 in the 4-0 loss. "That was the plan," bench coach Mike Aldrete told MLB.com. "Stayed with the plan, we were able to. I think David came through it nicely. Put a couple nice swings on the baseball in his second or third at-bat. Positive day overall for David."
Freese returns to action Friday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/8/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese returned to the lineup Friday against the Nationals in Grapefruit League action after dealing with a bruised tailbone injury. He finished 1 for 2 with a walk and scored a pair of runs in a 16-10 victory.
Freese dealing with minor issue
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/6/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese was scratched from Wednesday’s spring training lineup, after coming down with a bruised tailbone Monday. Freese suffered the injury after falling into the stands while trying to catch a foul ball. The Cardinals do not consider the injury to be a serious one. "We're going to just keep ice on him but nothing that they are too concerned about," manager Mike Matheny said.
Freese leaves after spill
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/4/2013) Cardinals third baseman David Freese fell into the stands while attempting to catch a foul ball Monday against the Twins. He landed on his tailbone and was removed from the game as a precautionary measure. "He was pretty much done for the day," manager Mike Matheny said. "When you hit like that on your back it's best to shut it down." Freese went 0 for 2 in the game and is batting .286 (4 for 14) with a homer this spring.
Cardinals play it safe with Freese
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/4/2013) St. Louis third baseman David Freese was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League game against Minnesota with a sore back but only as a precautionary measure, the team announced. Freese finished 0 for 2 before the early exit to drop his average to .286 after six games this spring. He suffered the minor issue after falling into the stands while chasing a foul ball and could return to the lineup after the Cardinals' off day Tuesday.
Freese, Cards avoid arbitration
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/8/2013) The Cardinals have reached an agreement with third baseman David Freese on a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.
