Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman practices at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

(Ashley Landis/Associated Press)

It came down to the last minute, but first baseman Freddie Freeman was in the Dodgers’ starting lineup at first base in the team’s NLDS opener against the San Diego Padres.

After suffering a sprained ankle on September 26 and missing the final three games of the regular season, Freeman wasn’t sure if he would play all week in Game 1. He was given the green light to start after completing his typical pregame practice routine a few hours before first pitch.

Freeman completed on-field stretches, his daily picking drill and first completed grounders.

Afterward, he returned to the clubhouse to take “live” swings in the cage, telling reporters as he passed, “I wish I had an answer” when asked if he was playing.

When the roster was released about 30 minutes later, Freeman’s name was listed, playing first base and batting in the three-hole.

Earlier in the day, the chances of Freeman making the starting lineup seemed slim.

After completing a full on-field practice Friday, Freeman still reported “some soreness” in his ankle, according to manager Dave Roberts. And while Roberts said in his pre-match press conference that the club was in “wait and see mode” as Freeman received more treatment, he admitted he was “not as hopeful” about Freeman’s status as he was earlier in the week .

Freeman will likely still be limited in Saturday’s game.

It’s questionable whether he’ll go full throttle on the bases, and Roberts noted that the team could do “a little bit of hedging” with his defensive position to ensure Freeman doesn’t have to cover too much ground.

Still, the injury Freeman said Friday likely would have required a four- to six-week absence in the regular season, and the fact that he was on the roster just nine days after suffering an ankle injury was a comfort for him even before the game Surprise undermanned Dodgers team.

“Obviously he’s determined and wants to make the most of every possible opportunity to play,” Roberts said.

Apparently he ticked enough boxes just in time to do this.