Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had his first start on August 5^th, after missing nearly two weeks while his son faced a serious health battle. Freeman’s three-year-old son, Maximus, had been hospitalized with Guillain–Barre syndrome over the past week. The syndrome causes muscle weakness as the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. In Max’s case, it also caused temporary paralysis. Freeman was on his way to Houston for a road trip when he received the news that Max was being taken to the hospital. He rushed home to Los Angeles, where he and his wife, Chelsea, took turns staying with their son in the hospital. “These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives. 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,” the couple shared to social media. Max had to be placed on a ventilator. The couple have two other boys, Charlie and Brandon.

Thankfully, doctors were able to get Max stabilized after 8 days in the ICU and he is expected to make a full recovery, although he will need physical therapy and further treatment. Returning on Monday, Freeman was met with his teammates wearing “#MaxStrong” shirts that they wore for their pregame workout. He received a standing ovation at his first at bat back against the Phillies and later hugged Phillies first basemen Bryce Harper, who had reached out to him while Max was ill. “Bryce probably texted at least four times during the nine days, really checking in…I’m just very thankful for the baseball community, lifting up Max in prayer and love and support,” Freeman told Fabian Ardaya of MLB.com.

An emotional Freeman shared more of his family’s experience. “[Max] didn’t deserve this. No one deserves this, anybody who goes through this. It’s not just my family. We were going every night, and every room is filled in the [pediatric ICU]. And that is heartbreaking,” he said. “So many families are going through things like this. We’re one of the lucky ones that got Guillain-Barré that he might have a full recovery. There are kids out there who are fighting for their lives right now. It just puts everything in perspective.” He admitted that he would “gladly strike out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the World Series 300 million times in a row than see that again.” He expressed gratitude for the support his family had received. “I’m just very thankful for the baseball community, lifting up Max in prayer and love and support. It’s going to be a long journey for him, but it’s a beautiful thing that he’s on the path to being recovered.”