According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Freddie Freeman missed Monday’s series start against the Braves due to a “small mishap” involving a shower slide at home, aggravating his surgically repaired right ankle.

Because of his swollen ankle, Freeman won’t play on Monday. He’s day-to-day and might play Tuesday.

Roberts said Freeman thought he could play through this latest illness, but the star first baseman rarely misses a game. Roberts said Freeman only felt he couldn’t play during last year’s NL Championship Series, when his ankle was badly hurt and required surgery.

“Typically,” Roberts remarked, “he’s always kicking and screaming.”

Freeman was disappointed to be given more rest days early on, as his goal every season is to play as much as possible. He also missed the two-game Tokyo Series to start the season due to left rib pain, another ailment from last postseason.

Freeman stated in Spring Training that he would likely manage his right ankle throughout the season. He still receives significant ankle treatment before and after games.

“It wasn’t 100%,” Roberts said of Freeman’s ankle before the shower tweak. “But nevertheless, his bat swing put him in an excellent place.”

First three games of the season: 3-for-12 (.250) with two homers, a double, and four RBIs.