Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair a strained UCL in his right elbow. A timetable for Seager’s return was not yet released. He will return to his hometown in North Carolina for the first part of his rehab.
It’s possible for position players to return from such an operation in nine months, which would leave the All-Star shortstop on track to be fully recovered in time for Opening Day of the 2019 season.
Seager dealt with elbow trouble last season and floated the possibility he would need to have minor surgery during the winter. But the organization instead opted for rest and rehab, which appeared to be a successful means of treatment.
Seager was eased into Cactus League action during the spring but ramped up in time for the start of the regular season. It wasn’t until last weekend’s series against the San Francisco Giants that the balky right elbow caused trouble again.
Two throws caused pain that prompted the 24-year-old to undergo an MRI earlier this week. It was at that point determined surgery at last was necessary.
Seager batted .267/.348/.396 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 13 RBI and a 108 OPS+ in 26 games (24 starts). The Dodgers thus far have alternated between Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor to fill the void at shortstop.
The club reportedly revisited talks centered around Baltimore Orioles All-Star Manny Machado, but a trade is not considered likely.
