Braves gain Freeman after COVID-19, lose Hamels to 45-day IL

The Atlanta Braves will have Freddie Freeman to start the season.

Freeman, who missed most of summer camp while battling COVID-19, was officially activated Thursday and will be on Atlanta's season-opening 30-man roster.

It's unclear if Freeman will be ready to play in Friday's season opener against the New York Mets. The four-time All-Star had a particularly rough case of COVID-19 and revealed this week that he prayed "please don't take me" while at the peak of the illness.

The Braves also placed left-hander Cole Hamels on the 45-day injured list with left triceps tendinitis, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. He'll be eligible to return at the beginning of September, meaning he could help the Braves in a postseason push if healthy.

Hamels, who signed a one-year, $18-million contract with Atlanta in the offseason, suffered the injury during summer camp. The 36-year-old had used the pandemic stoppage to recover from a shoulder issue dating back to spring training.

Atlanta also selected the contract of first baseman Matt Adams, who was signed to a minor-league deal earlier this week. First baseman Yonder Alonso was outrighted off the 40-man roster to clear Adams' roster spot.

Right-hander Touki Toussaint, who was also away due to the coronavirus, is another addition to the Braves' active roster.