Braves Fans Can't Blame Freddie Freeman for Poor Performance After Playing Through Elbow Injury

Atlanta Braves fans can blame a lot of players and coaches for letting them down in the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, in which they suffered a couple of crushing losses, including Game 5 where Braves pitchers gave up 10 runs in the first inning alone.

However, one player Braves fans definitely can't use as a scapegoat is beloved first baseman Freddie Freeman. It was reported that Freeman was struggling with a couple of ailments throughout the postseason, and now we know to what extent his injuries were.

Ouch. Three fragmented loose bodies and multiple bone-spur formations in an elbow will make any fan shudder, especially considering Freeman played through it in an attempt to help his team.

Now that he's had successful arthroscopic elbow surgery, Freeman's expected to be ready on time for 2020 Spring Training.

If Braves fans want to blame Freeman for their lineup's struggles down the stretch, just look at who else was on the Braves' NLDS roster and tell me who else could've started at first base. Nick Markakis?

Freeman's earned the right to play if he felt capable enough to produce. As a lifelong Braves player thus far, Freeman hasn't advanced past the NLDS at all, and if he thought he could make enough of an impact to warrant his presence in the lineup, then manager Brian Snitker made the right call in letting his superstar play, bone spurs and all.

Hopefully Braves fans will be able to see a reinvigorated and motivated Freeman on the field next October.