Team Canada entered this World Baseball Classic cycle with real optimism. A young core and a few dependable veterans made 2026 feel like their best chance to finally break through after never advancing past the first round. But that hope took a hit on Tuesday. Amid the noise of the Winter Meetings, Canada’s baseball director Greg Hamilton quietly revealed that Freddie Freeman is dealing with “a little bit of a health issue” after the grind of the season. And the concern only deepened from there.

Freeman still wants to play badly, but his status is suddenly uncertain. For a team that leans on him every WBC, that’s the kind of update that immediately raises alarm. But the reality is that Freeman has been going through a lot.

The past two seasons haven’t been easy for Freeman, with ankle issues, rib pain, a slip-and-fall, and then a wrist injury after being hit by a pitch. Now, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, he’s undergoing “some procedure,” though no one knows what it is yet.

Dodgers president Andrew Friedman insists it’s nothing major, but the mixed signals aren’t easing concerns. For L.A., a three-peat depends on the health of its veteran core. For Team Canada, losing Freeman would completely reshape the lineup.

There was a bit of uplifting news, though.

Josh and Bo Naylor are officially committed to Team Canada for the WBC. The brothers haven’t played together since their Cleveland days, making this a significant boost. Josh will likely cover first base or DH, while Bo handles catching duties.

Without Freddie Freeman, Team Canada loses its most reliable and experienced bat. His absence forces Josh Naylor into a bigger role at first base or DH and exposes a lineup already lacking the depth of powerhouses like the USA, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. Replacing Freeman’s production and presence is nearly impossible.

The timing makes the situation even riskier. The WBC takes place in March, when players are still ramping up during spring training. It’s the same stretch when Edwin Díaz tore his patellar tendon during the 2023 WBC and José Altuve broke his thumb. Early-season injuries tend to escalate quickly, which is why teams approach the tournament with caution.

Freeman also has a history of playing through injuries, from oblique and ankle trouble to rib discomfort. Even during his 2020 MVP season and the strong years after, he rarely came out of the lineup. That toughness makes him likely to push to play, but it also leaves the Dodgers and Team Canada uneasy about how much his body can handle.

Even so, everything hinges on Freddie Freeman’s health. Whether he’ll be ready remains unknown, and fans can only hope this setback is minor for Canada’s biggest star.

Dodgers fans cry out for Freddie Freeman

A user said, “Get well soon, Freddie, Canada’s counting on you,” and another added, “Please stay home, Freddie, Canada can lose without you. Heal that ankle.” It’s hard to disagree. Canada thrives on underdog energy; they stunned Team USA in 2006, and Freeman has been a key part of that spirit. In the 2023 WBC, he hit .200 with three runs, two RBIs, a walk, and just one strikeout. No homers, but he delivered against Great Britain before a hamstring injury cut his run short.

“Freddie, PLEASE skip the WBC!” cried a fan on Twitter. But Freddie Freeman isn’t wired that way. In the 2024 postseason, he spent hours preparing just to make sure he could contribute for the Dodgers. So it wouldn’t be surprising if he pushes through and plays. That determination comes from who he is. Born in California but rooted deeply in Canada, with a father from Windsor, Ontario, and a mother from Peterborough, representing Canada matters to him.

“Rest, all Dodgers! We’re going for 3. They need the rest and therapy,” another fan wrote, and the concern is understandable. Several of L.A.’s biggest stars will play in the WBC. Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith have already committed, and fans worry about injuries derailing a potential three-peat. After all, the Dodgers just signed Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million deal — they can’t afford major setbacks.

One fan said. “Freddie.” Well, the broken heart emoji sums up what Dodgers fans feel about Freeman. Because he has had a tough few years with injuries, and on the personal front, things have not been easy. Last season, Freeman’s son suffered from an autoimmune disease and landed in the ER. Even then, he took leave only briefly and came back to play. So, things have not been easy.

For now, fans can only hope that Freeman recovers from whatever issue he has been suffering from.