Freeman’s rib injury is not as severe as the one he played through last fall, but the Dodgers opted to keep him out of the lineup as a precaution again Wednesday.

Freddie Freeman was initially in the Dodgers' lineup for the season opener in Japan against the Cubs. But while taking swings before the game, Freeman felt something in his rib, leading to him being scratched from the lineup.

If you're looking for Freddie Freeman's name in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup in their opening game of the MLB season against the Chicago Cubs in Japan, you won't find it. That's because the superstar first baseman was taken out of the lineup due to left rib discomfort. He did play in spring training games before the Dodgers left for Tokyo.