A few days removed from throwing across the diamond for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, Corey Seager cleared another hurdle by participating in a live batting practice session.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers were heading to Surprise Stadium for a matchup with the Kansas City Royals, Seager faced Pedro Baez on a backfield at Camelback Ranch. “He swung the bat actually really well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“I think it was like a 10-pitch at-bat and he ended up getting a base hit. Just to see the pitches and now take some swings, I thought that was a productive day for Corey. Right now it’s going as well as to be expected.”
Given Seager had been running the bases and now added throwing across the diamond and taking swings against pitching, Roberts acknowledged he could be nearing game action. “I would say next week seems realistic. I don’t know which day,” Roberts said.
The bulk of Seager’s game action is likely to come in ‘B’ games on the Minor League side at Camelback Ranch. Roberts previously remarked the club is more focused on how he will hold up defensively as opposed to at the plate.
“His gate looks really good and building him out as far as his arm strength, he’s in a really good place,” Roberts said. “He’s going to spend a lot of time on the backfields this spring as far as taking at-bats and playing defensive innings, with the goal in mind to have him ready for Opening Day with us.”
