This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry’s Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- "You get 24 hours."
That’s what Rangers manager Skip Schumaker told Cody Freeman last week, when it was revealed that the young infielder had a stress reaction in his lower back that would sideline him for at least four to six weeks.
He could be sad or mad or whatever other emotions. But after that, it’s back to business as usual.
“If you walk through the clubhouse, you see a kid who is usually high energy in his locker with a hood over his head, you just don't want that,” Schumaker said after the diagnosis. “You feel for him. There's a personal level to him, and it's emotional, and I understand that.
“He's allowed to sulk [for a day]. I told him, 'That's good. You can do that. Then come in today, be ready to go. Figure out how you can get better, even though you can't really move around too much.' I think he's got enough perspective now to get something out of the next four weeks.”
A week removed from the initial diagnosis, Freeman is back with the high energy that made him one of the Rangers’ “little rascals” last season.
And Freeman took Schumaker’s advice to heart. He took his 24 hours before getting right back to being his regular, energetic self. He’s been at the top step of the dugout during Cactus League games. He’s been cheering his teammates on. He’s doing everything he can to still be part of this clubhouse.
“Being a good teammate means a lot to me,” Freeman said. “I love watching the games, all nine innings. It's fun. It just brings me joy, a little bit. I could leave early, but I don't want to, because I want to be there to watch ball. I don't have much to do, other than talking with the guys. I’m just enjoying the time I can off the field, doing what I can to make me happy.”
Unfortunately, this is a speed bump in Freeman’s bid for the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut on July 18 and became a vital part of the Rangers’ second-half postseason push, even as it ultimately fell short in the final weeks of the season.
Because of his defensive versatility -- he’s played third base, left field and right field in the big leagues -- Freeman was a prime candidate to break camp with the big league club. While that may be delayed now, Schumaker emphasized that the youngster has the mindset to get a lot out of a setback like this.
Schumaker even referred to his own experience with a similar situation. Ahead of the 2012 season, coming off the Cardinals winning the World Series, he blew out his oblique and had to miss a number of weeks to get that right.
He still had to earn his spot.
But making the Opening Day roster isn’t everything, Schumaker emphasized. It’s an honor, but there are 161 other games. Opening Day means nothing if you’re sent back to Round Rock two weeks later.
“If you're a young guy like Cody, it's hard to put it all in perspective,” Schumaker said. “I just want him to understand there's a reason why he got hurt. It's hard to figure out right now. But maybe for the first time in his career, he can take a step back instead of just fighting for his life, trying to make a team.
“When I stepped back, I got to watch some really good players go about their day without having to panic thinking about my at-bats coming up at one o'clock. As soon as I realized that, it really helped me in my career, moving forward. I'm hoping that's what he does. He's wired that way.”