Dodgers' Freddie Freeman undergoes surgery on right ankle

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had surgery on his right ankle "consisting of debridement and the removal of loose bodies," the team said.

The surgery took place Thursday and was performed by Dr. Kenneth Jung in Los Angeles.

Freeman was expected to recover in time to participate in baseball activities during spring training in February.

The 35-year-old slugger dealt with issues to the ankle late in the season. He sprained it while attempting to avoid a tag on Sept. 26 and spent eight days rehabbing the injury in hopes of playing in the postseason.

He ultimately did play but was hobbled by it early, and didn't have any RBIs in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres and posted one in the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets.

He didn't play in the NLCS finale and had six days off entering the World Series, allowing time for the ankle to get better -- and it showed.

Freeman had a dramatic Game 1 grand slam against the New York Yankees, homered in each of the first four games of that series and finished hitting .300 with four homers and 12 RBIs. He was voted World Series MVP.