Freddie Freeman is not expected to play all 162 games again this season, but he also won't sit enough to warrant the Braves carrying a backup who doesn't play several positions, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Freeman is not expected to play all 162 games again this season, but he also won't sit enough to warrant the Braves carrying a backup who doesn't play several positions, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis:

Chris Johnson will serve as the primary backup at first base, as he has the past two years. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he would like to get Freeman an occasional day off when the team is facing a tough lefty, though it sounds like Freeman will see a heavy workload again in his sixth major league season. Freeman has appeared in at least 147 games each of the past four years. Kelly Johnson could be an option at first if Freeman is forced to miss more than a game or two in a row, but Johnson will first need to carve out a utility role in spring training.