The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup is set to receive some reinforcements this week with Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy both expected to return from the 10-day injured list. Corey Seager additionally could be activated in the near future after recently advancing to taking batting practice.
Seager has been out of action since May 16 due to a right hand fracture, but nonetheless is making steady progress in his recovery. Should he continue trending in the right direction, the next step could be starting a rehab assignment by the end of the week.
“He’ll probably go out at the end the of the week,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Seager potentially joining a Minor League affiliate. “We haven’t determined where, but we’re talking Friday or Saturday. Something like that potentially.”
While it remains to be seen where Seager will go on his rehab assignment, an obvious choice for geographical reasons would seemingly be Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, but they are scheduled to be on a road trip in San Jose.
The Dodgers previously had Bellinger, Zach McKinstry and Garrett Cleavinger join Triple-A Oklahoma City on rehab this season.
As for the length of Seager’s upcoming assignment, it will be determined based on how he feels.
“I don’t know. I think sometimes it can be three games, sometimes it can be seven or eight games,” Roberts said. “I think it’s player dependent. Corey is very in tune with his mechanics. Once he feels ready to go, I believe he’ll be pretty accurate.”
Prior to being cleared to take batting practice, Seager already was fielding grounders and throwing across the diamond without issues, and did most of his hitting work off of a tee.
“I think he’s checked those boxes. It’s just more of doing some simulated stuff,” Roberts explained of what’s left for Seager to accomplish.
Roberts believes Tsutsugo could benefit from rehab assignment
Another player on the cusp of beginning a rehab assignment is Yoshi Tsutsugo, who the Dodgers claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in May. He was placed on the 10-day IL earlier this month with a right calf strain.
Tsutsugo primarily appeared off the bench and struggled to the tune of a .120/.290/.120 batting line in 12 games since joining the Dodgers.
Roberts recently acknowledged the difficulty of heating up in a part-time role and is looking forward to seeing how Tsutsugo performs with regular at-bats in the Minors. “I do think he needs regular at-bats,” Roberts said.
“Obviously with our roster and trying to get our hitting coaches dialed in with his swings and the right verbiage, get on the same page and get him consistent at-bats was hard.
“This could be a positive in the sense that it just gives us an opportunity to get him on rehab and take regular at-bats to see what we’ve got. I know he was disappointed, but I did send a message to him as far as it can potentially be an opportunity.”
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