Shohei Ohtani highlights teammate Freddie Freeman's historic milestone as Dodgers star returns with a bang

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani shared an Instagram story for teammate Freddie Freeman following the All-Star first baseman's milestone night against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Although the Dodgers fell to a 6-2 defeat in the second game of the series against the Phillies on Tuesday, it turned out to be a memorable game for Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman.

During the bottom of the first inning, Freeman lined a double off Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez, the 500th double of his MLB career. Following the game, Shohei Ohtani reshared a story from the Dodgers to commemorate his teammate's landmark hit.

Shohei Ohtani's Instagram story (Image source - IG)

Freeman became the 10th youngest player to reach the 500-mark at 34 years of age. He has 27 doubles this season, despite missing eight games over the last two weeks, after his son Maximus was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The Dodgers first baseman only returned to the lineup during Monday's series opener and is on pace for around 40 doubles this season. This in itself is an impressive number, despite being significantly lower than his career-high 59 doubles last season.

He leads the active players in doubles and could become only the second Dodgers player since Babe Herman to have three or more seasons with 40+ doubles.

Freddie Freeman returns to action after son Maximus' health scare

It has been an emotional few weeks for Freddie Freeman and his family. He left the Dodgers to tend to his son Max's serious medical emergency post the All-Star break.

The former MVP was reinstated to the Dodgers lineup on Monday. He received a round of applause at the Dodger Stadium as a show of support for his son's quick recovery following his discharge from the ICU on Sunday.

Freeman was overwhelmed with emotions after receiving support from his teammates and fans on his return to MLB action.

“I was doing OK tipping my hat and then my dad was sitting first row with my stepmom,” he said. “He was, I don’t know if I could call him crying, but he was choked up and teary-eyed and that’s what really got me going.”

Freddie Freeman will be in action against the Phillies in the rubber game of the series on Wednesday. He will hope to make a significant contribution after a lackluster offensive display by the Dodgers in Tuesday's defeat.