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Dodgers Wear #MaxStrong Shirts During Pregame in Support of Freddie Freeman's Son

The first baseman's son, Max, was diagnosed with transient synovitis (also known as irritable hip) and Guillain-Barre syndrome in July

<p>Chelsea Freeman/Instagram; Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports/Imagn</p> From Left: Max with Freddie Freeman; and Freddie on the field

Chelsea Freeman/Instagram; Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports/Imagn

From Left: Max with Freddie Freeman; and Freddie on the field

The Los Angeles Dodgers are showing their support for Freddie Freeman's son, Max.

Ahead of their home game against Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Aug. 5, the MLB team's players and coaches wore matching T-shirts that read #MaxStrong to support the first baseman's three-year-old son who was recently in the pediatric ICU for over a week.

"For Freddie’s son, Max. Get well soon! We’re all rooting for you," the Dodgers franchise posted on Instagram.

During the game, Freeman, 34, received an emotional standing ovation from the crowd after he got up to bat during the bottom of the first inning. Fans cheered for him for nearly a minute before he stepped up to the plate.

The baseball player had missed eight games to be with his family after Max was diagnosed with transient synovitis (also known as irritable hip) and Guillain-Barre syndrome in July.

Related: MLB Player Freddie Freeman's Son Max, 3, Goes Home Following 8-Day Stay at the Pediatric ICU

<p> Gene Wang/Getty</p> Shohei Ohtani on Aug. 5, 2024

Gene Wang/Getty

Shohei Ohtani on Aug. 5, 2024

Freeman's wife, Chelsea, kept followers up to date on Max's health journey over the past month. The three-year-old was initially taken to the hospital on July 24 after suffering severe pain and wasn't able to "sit, stand, or walk."

Max was initially diagnosed with transient synovitis, which is known as irritable hip. Days later, he went into full-body paralysis and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which Chelsea shared on Instagram on Aug. 1. "This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed," she wrote.

<p>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports/Imagn</p> From Left: Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports/Imagn

From Left: Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman

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On Sunday, Aug. 4, Chelsea announced that Max was finally returning home. "After 8 long days in the Pediatric ICU we are officially HOME!" she wrote on Instagram, sharing pictures of Max and Freddie, plus a clip of him reuniting with his brothers Charlie, 7, and Brandon, 3.

She added, "Max still has a long road ahead of him to regain his strength and relearn how to walk. But we are so thankful to have our family back together. Thank you God for this miracle."

<p>Chelsea Freeman/Instagram</p> From Left: Chelsea, Max and Freddie Freeman

Chelsea Freeman/Instagram

From Left: Chelsea, Max and Freddie Freeman

Related: 15 of the Cutest Couples in Major League Baseball

Chelsea also gave a shoutout to the hospital staff who took care of Max during his stay. "Also, thank you to our incredible team of doctors and angel nurses for taking such good care of our boy. And to our village for helping so much with Charlie and Brandon," she wrote.

Ahead of Max's release, Chelsea reflected on Max's recovery. "The first few days we had so many scary set backs but he has been improving so quickly. I cannot believe it. He blows me away," Chelsea shared.

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