The Los Angeles Dodgers started a seven-game homestand with their 10th win of the season, which is tied for the Major League lead, but they incurred another injury in the process as Corey Seager was removed in the third inning.
The initial diagnosis was lower back discomfort, which was a result of Seager making an attempt at diving backhanded stop on Chadwick Tromp’s base hit in the second inning. Seager exited after gingerly moving to his left to back up Chris Taylor on a chopper up the middle.
“Right now we’re getting tests on it and he’s in the day-to-day category,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the 7-2 win. “Hopefully he starts to feel better and we’ll know more.”
Roberts added it was “probably fair” to assume Seager would be out of the lineup Saturday. It will mark a second game he’s missed in the past week, as the two-time Silver Slugger Award winner previously dealt with a calf tightness and a minor left quad issue.
He entered the series opener against the Giants leading the league in hard-hit balls and batting .347/.396/.612 with four doubles, three home runs and seven RBI. A few hours before he was removed from the game, Seager spoke with optimism about being healthy.
“It’s a body-confidence thing, just feeling better, feeling stronger, being able to make moves I want to be able to make. It’s showing. Hopefully I can keep it going,” he said.
“I think I just kind of feel better in general, whether it’s the field, hitting, regardless. I feel back to normal and I’m excited to be out there again.”
If Seager is to miss any time, the Dodgers likely will utilize some combination of Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor at shortstop.
Mookie Betts returns
After being limited to usage as a defensive replacement during the three week because of swelling in the middle finger on his left hand, Betts was back in the lineup Friday night. Roberts voiced confidence he’d gotten back to full health, and Betts immediately proved as much.
He doubled in his first at-bat and hit a home run in the third inning to tie the game. “It was really impressive,” Roberts said. “Obviously he’s one of the great players in the game.
“I thought we were responsible with giving him some extra time to make sure his finger felt good enough to play and take the at-bats. (Jeff) Samardzija traditionally has been very tough right-on-right, so for Mookie to take those at-bats, the double and homer gave us a little bit of life. After that guys followed suit.”
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