The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a multitude of injuries through the halfway point of the season, losing the likes of Cody Bellinger, Corey Knebel, Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May, among other key players.
But as L.A. begins what manager Dave Roberts has referred to the final sprint, they appear close to welcoming back injured players.
Seager has been out since the middle of May after suffering a right hand fracture as a result of being hit by a pitch. There 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 and has started participating in simulated games at Camelback Ranch. “Corey took seven at-bats [Saturday], didn’t play the field, swung the bat well, homered, a few other hits,” Roberts said.
“Felt good. I think [Sunday] he’s going to just take batting practice and Monday he’ll do a sim game.
Meanwhile, Knebel has been out since April 23, when he suffered a right lat strain that forced him to the 60-day injured list. Now Knebel is also due to take part in a simulated game this week, potentially facing Seager.
“I would assume it’s a 15-pitch, 18-pitch exercise (on Monday),” Roberts said. “Assuming all goes well with that, he’ll probably be in another one of those a few days later. Things are trending in the right direction.”
While the buildup for a reliever won’t take too long, Roberts said Knebel will still need to pitch in at least a few games before he returns.
“There’s got to be an up and down where you’re going to face five hitters and throw 25 pitches or something like that,” Roberts explained. “Making sure he recovers. I expect him in L.A. at some point during the homestand so our guys can put eyes on him. Corey’s done a fantastic job.”
Dodgers optimistic with Kershaw
Kershaw was placed on the 10-day IL before the All-Star break with left forearm inflammation, but after an MRI showed no structural damage, the Dodgers are confident he will be back this season.
“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,” Roberts said.
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