Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman on paternity list, Ryan Ward active

DENVER — The Dodgers have officially recalled outfield prospect Ryan Ward to their MLB roster.

The awaited corresponding move: Freddie Freeman going on the paternity list.

While news of Ward’s first career (and long-awaited) big-league call-up came late Friday, the corresponding move with Freeman wasn’t announced until 36 hours later.

By going on the paternity list, he can miss up to three days to be with his family.

Freeman announced back in the spring that he and his wife, Chelsea, were awaiting their fourth child.

However, his impending departure wasn’t disclosed until Sunday, with manager Dave Roberts saying on Saturday afternoon that he was “gonna kind of stay hush on this” until a public announcement was made.

Ward arrived in Denver on Saturday from Triple-A Oklahoma City but was on the taxi squad and wasn’t seen around the ballpark by reporters.

A 28-year-old left-handed hitter who was originally drafted in 2018, Ward has spent seven years in the minors awaiting an MLB opportunity.

In Freeman’s absence, the Dodgers will have several first base options to consider. The most obvious would be Dalton Rushing, the backup catcher who has been pushing for increased playing time by starting the season with five home runs in his first six games.

Ward, however, could also factor in at first, having played it regularly in his career in addition to the corner outfield spots. Santiago Espinal is another alternative there if the Dodgers need a right-handed bat.

Freeman is batting .296 this year and has been especially good lately, finishing Saturday with his third straight two-hit performance.