SAN FRANCISCO -- Freddie Freeman is not new to the concept of "Dad strength," but he returned to the Dodgers with a fresh infusion of energy after the birth of his fourth child.
"Dad power, activated again," he said with a smile ahead of Tuesday's game against the Giants at Oracle Park.
The Dodgers reinstated Freeman from the paternity list, adding their first baseman back to the lineup after a two-game absence. The club optioned infielder/outfielder Ryan Ward to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, welcomed their first daughter, London Rosemary Joy, through a surrogate on Sunday. The baby's name honors both Chelsea and Freddie Freeman's families. Chelsea's parents were born and raised in England, so she and Freddie have always liked the name London for a girl. Freddie's late mother was named Rosemary Joy, so he gave his daughter both names as a middle name.
The Freemans are now a family of six -- as the couple already had three sons -- and the Dodgers' first baseman said there are no plans for any future additions beyond London.
"She's perfect. Everything we had hoped for," Freeman said. "She is everything we could ask for. You will not be seeing another baby announcement. This is it. We are happily done with four."
When his daughter was born on Sunday, Freeman was busy tending to his newborn, but true to form, Freeman took some swings off a tee on Monday in preparation for his return. He also watched his team's 12-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field on television, giving London an early introduction to baseball.
Freeman expressed his gratitude to the surrogate who carried London, who he said previously carried their son Max, while not sharing too many details as to respect her privacy.
"Our surrogate is a rock star. She was wonderful. I don't want to leave her out," Freeman said. "We've gotten to know her and her family and her husband. They're wonderful people. So thank you to her."
Freeman enters Tuesday's opener slashing .296/.360/.519 with three homers, 14 RBIs and seven doubles this season, his fifth with the Dodgers. While Freeman rarely likes to be away from the team, he took some solace in the fact that his teammates handled themselves quite well in his absence.
The 28-year-old Ward, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Dodgers' No. 19 prospect, was called up to make his Major League debut in Freeman's absence and went 2-for-6 with an RBI in two games against the Rockies. Dalton Rushing also got a start at first base, bashing two homers on Monday.
"First base was well taken care of," Freeman said with a laugh.
Now, armed with renewed Dad strength, he's ready to pick up where he left off.