Former Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman disclosed on Thursday that his 3-year-old son, Maximus, suffers from a rare neurological disease.
Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, released a joint message on Instagram about their son’s condition.
“Max has a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome, as revealed by numerous tests. “A rare neurological condition, especially in children,” the Freemans wrote in their post. “These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives.”
The parents reports that their son has improved in the previous 48 hours and has been taken off his breathing tube and ventilator.
“Please continue to cover Maximus and our family in your prayers. We really appreciate and have felt all of your support,” the Freemans said.
The Mayo Clinic defines Guillain-Barré syndrome as a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves. It may produce weakness, numbness, or paralysis. There is no known cure, yet most people fully recover.
Freeman, a beloved figure in Atlanta and throughout Georgia, spent 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, making his MLB debut in 2010. In his final season with the Braves, Freeman helped them defeat the Houston Astros in the 2021 World Series.
Freeman now plays first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is still on the Dodgers’ family emergency list, missing the last four games, according to media reports.
