DENVER — The Los Angeles Dodgers are putting Freddie Freeman on the paternity list, opening the door for reigning Pacific Coast League MVP Ryan Ward to earn his first call-up to the majors at 28 years old.

Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, announced in February that they were expecting the birth of their fourth child and added last month that the couple will be having their first girl. The nine-time All-Star first baseman is off to his typical start to the season, hitting .296 and helping the Dodgers open with a 15-5 record.

Players can miss between one and three games while on the paternity list.

That creates the first big-league opportunity for Ward, who has proven his aptitude in the minors. Ward is hitting .324 with a 1.020 OPS this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City after the Dodgers added him to their 40-man roster this past winter. The left-handed hitting corner outfielder and first baseman has spent parts of the past four seasons at Triple-A before his call-up, which The Athletic first reported Friday night.

Ryan Ward hits for the Dodgers during a spring-training game in February. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The Dodgers originally selected Ward in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. While he’s made strides offensively to refine his approach, he’s had to wait out a deep and talented roster. He was set to hit minor-league free agency for the first time this winter, prompting the Dodgers’ decision to add him to the 40-man roster.

“For him to not get a shot (yet), I’m sure he’s frustrated and understandably so,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during spring training. “But the message for him is to keep putting up numbers and knock the door down and hopefully the opportunity comes for him.”

Now he could have his shot.

Other notes

• Prized Dodgers pitching prospect River Ryan was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed on the minor-league injured list, sources told The Athletic. Both sources said Ryan is dealing with a “minor” hamstring issue.