The Los Angeles Dodgers limped into the All-Star break in some sense, with Clayton Kershaw, Victor Gonzalez, Jimmy Nelson and Corey Seager among those on the injured list. Seager was recently transferred to the 60-day IL, which made July 15 the earliest he can be activated.
Seager has been out since the middle of May after suffering a right hand fracture as a result of being hit by a pitch. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially forecasted the 2020 World Series MVP would miss upwards of eight weeks.
There then was hope Seager would be back in the lineup by early July, but lingering soreness in the hand due to the fracture not yet being fully healed halted some of his workouts. Now Seager is up to taking an estimated 50 swings per day.
As the Dodgers send a contingent to the All-Star Game in Denver, Seager is among the players who will head home during the break.
“Then he is going to go to Arizona while we’re in Colorado. He’ll take at-bats, simulated games, some games that will be going on down there,” Roberts said.
“Once we finish that Colorado series, we’ll re-assess, see where he’s at physically and make a decision then. Right now, there’s no thought of a rehab assignment.”
After playing the Colorado Rockies coming out of the All-Star break, the Dodgers will return home for a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants from July 19-22. Roberts remains hopeful Seager will be in the lineup for the pivotal matchup.
“If it doesn’t, that’s OK. He’ll be ready when he’s ready,” Roberts added. “I think with Corey, it’s been some time and we’ve just got to make sure we get him feeling physically, mentally, mechanically, 100%. Whenever that is, I think we’re all at peace with whenever that is.”
Dodgers remain optimistic with Kershaw
Already short on pitching this past week, the Dodgers saw another member of their rotation fall victim to injury as Kershaw experienced left forearm tightness. Fortunately for the longtime ace and club, an MRI did not reveal any structural damage.
Kershaw resumed playing catch but will take the All-Star break to put the ball down and rest. “He’ll shut it down over the break, which I think is a good thing,” Roberts said.
“Again, I’ve referenced the short season versus a long season, so for him to quote-unquote, take a blow, I think it’s a smart thing for all of us and Clayton. When he comes back it’ll be rearing to go.
“I don’t know when we’ll get him back, but I do want to lead with we want to make sure that when he does come back, he feels great.”
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