Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Injury Report, April 10 – Freddie Freeman’s Return and More

Freddie Freeman back to the Dodgers lineup?

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

After a humbling East Coast swing, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Dodger Stadium this weekend looking to rediscover their early-season dominance. The 10-4 Dodgers will host the 9-6 Chicago Cubs in a three-game set starting Friday night, marking the latest chapter in a matchup that began halfway across the world.

The two teams previously squared off in Tokyo to open the season, with the Dodgers taking both games in what were just technically Cubs “home” contests. Now, the series shifts to Los Angeles before the clubs meet again in Chicago later this month.

The Dodgers ripped through their first eight games before going 2-4 on the road against the Phillies and Nationals. They narrowly avoided a sweep in Washington on Wednesday, thanks to a clutch homer and three-RBI night from Teoscar Hernández in a 6-5 win. The Cubs, meanwhile, are playing confident baseball. They’ve won seven of their last nine, with their most recent loss coming in a 6-2 defeat to the defending champion Texas Rangers.

Friday night’s opener features one of the most anticipated pitching duels of the week. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 1.69 ERA) gets the ball for the Dodgers in what will be his fourth start. Yamamoto has struck out 19 over 16 2/3 innings and has already stifled the Cubs once this season. In his debut on March 18, he allowed just one run across five innings to pick up the win.

10 strikeouts for Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a new career high 👏 pic.twitter.com/T8tgWTvl50
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2025

The Cubs counter with veteran lefty Matthew Boyd (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who has yet to allow a run through two starts this year. Boyd has punched out 10 batters in 11 innings, providing early-season stability to the Cubs’ rotation.

Matthew Boyd, Wicked 82mph Back Foot Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/9vM3FuBq7R
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2025

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cubs Series?

Friday (10:10 p.m. ET): Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Matthew Boyd
TV: SportsNet LA and MARQ | Stream: FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply)
Saturday (9:10 p.m. ET): Roki Sasaki vs. Ben Brown
TV: SportsNet LA and MARQ | Stream: FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply)
Sunday (7:10 p.m. ET): Tyler Glasnow vs. Justin Steele
TV: ESPN | Stream: FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Preview

Los Angeles will finally welcome back Freddie Freeman to the lineup Friday night after he missed time with rib cage and ankle issues. The Dodgers’ offense, already dangerous, gets even deeper with the former MVP’s return.

ALSO READ: Freddie Freeman Injury Update: When Will Dodgers Star Return?

But overall, Los Angeles still finds itself mired in injury concerns. Their IL looks like a spring training roster: Blake Snell, Tony Gonsolin, Evan Phillips, Clayton Kershaw, Michael Kopech, and Gavin Stone are all sidelined, among others. The bullpen, in particular, has taken a major hit, leaving the rotation with little margin for error.

The Cubs aren’t without their own health issues. Key starters Justin Steele and Javier Assad are out, with Steele expected to miss at least one turn through the rotation due to elbow tightness. Ryan Brasier and Tyson Miller are also on the shelf, reducing the Cubs’ pitching depth early in the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers Injury Report

10-Day IL: Freddie Freeman (Ankle)
15-Day IL: Edgardo Henriquez (Foot), Michael Kopech (Shoulder), Tony Gonsolin (Back), Evan Phillips (Shoulder), Blake Snell (Shoulder)
60-Day IL: Gavin Stone (Shoulder), River Ryan (Elbow), Brusdar Graterol (Shoulder), Emmet Sheehan (Elbow), Kyle Hurt (Elbow), Clayton Kershaw (Toe), Michael Grove (Shoulder)

Chicago Cubs Injury Report

10-Day IL: Vidal Brujan (Elbow)
15-Day IL: Tyson Miller (Hip), Justin Steele (Elbow), Javier Assad (Oblique), Ryan Brasier (Hip)

Cubs

Dodgers

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.