With the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to avoid being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals and a losing record on their seven-game road trip, they saw Corey Seager exit in the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch.
Alanna Rizzo first relayed on the SportsNet LA broadcast that Seager was taken out for precautionary reasons. Moreover, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Seager was hit by the curveball in the hamstring area.
The team later announced Seager was removed because of a left hamstring contusion. While he initially remained in the game, Seager didn’t appear comfortable while at first base during A.J. Pollock’s at-bat. Cameras then caught Seager walking gingerly toward the dugout after Pollock grounded out to end the top of the fourth.
Kiké Hernandez took over at shortstop, which brought Cody Bellinger off the bench to play right field. Thursday marked Bellinger’s first time not being in the lineup this season.
From the @Dodgers: @coreyseager_5 left the game with a left hamstring contusion.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 11, 2019
Seager scored two runs and reached in all three plate appearances before exiting, including on a double. He recently admitted to still be in search of some momentum after starting the season in a bit of a skid.
The Dodgers exercised caution in their handling of Seager throughout his rehab process for Tommy John and hip surgeries. Including Thursday, he’s appeared in each of the Dodgers’ 14 games this season.
Roberts previously outlined a tentative plan that called for Seager to start in spurts of three straight games before receiving a night off for rest.
