Freddie Freeman not in the Dodgers' Game 4 NLCS lineup against the Mets

NEW YORK – All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman will not be in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series as he continues to deal with a lingering ankle injury.

Freeman has appeared in seven of the Dodgers' eight games this postseason after severely spraining his right ankle on Sept. 26 against San Diego. Typically a power threat, he has seven hits – all singles – in 27 at-bats.

With left-hander Jose Quintana poised to start for the New York Mets, Los Angeles opted for a predominantly right-handed lineup on Thursday. Teoscar Hernandez will move to the No. 3 hole normally occupied by Freeman, and Kiké Hernández, who has been playing center field, will move to third base while Max Muncy moves across the diamond to initially take Freeman's spot.

The Dodgers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 after an 8-0 win in Game 3 on Wednesday night.

Freeman, a former MVP and eight-time All-Star, received hours of treatment every day to prepare for the game. He also missed Game 4 of Los Angeles' divisional win over San Diego.

The 35-year-old Freeman was also not in the Dodgers' pregame lineup before Game 1 of the Division Series, but was inserted into the lineup card shortly before the game began and had two hits.

“He’s in a lot of pain out there,” Los Angeles catcher Will Smith said. “You can see it when he runs and stuff. But he inspires us as players, as teammates. He is willing to put his body on the line. It's impressive. It gets us going. We love it when he's in there. He swung. “It’s good for us. Unfortunately he's not here today, but I know he'll be back tomorrow.