The Los Angeles Dodgers eagerly anticipated the return of Corey Seager this season after he was limited to just 26 games in 2018 because of Tommy John surgery. Then while recovering from the elbow operation, Seager underwent arthroscopic hip surgery.
It’s been tough sledding for him thus far, which in some part was to be expected given that Seager hadn’t played in a regular-season game for nearly one year. One positive takeaway thus far is he’s remained healthy despite a heavy workload early.
There was some concern that may have changed in some regard Friday night when Seager was a late scratch from the lineup. The Dodgers did not provide a reason, only that Chris Taylor was sliding over to shortstop and Kiké Hernandez was starting at second base.
Following the Dodgers’ shutout win over the Washington Nationals, manager Dave Roberts shed some details on Seager’s situation by explaining he did not play due to an off-the-field matter, via SportsNet LA:
“Corey just had something personal that came up. Literally an hour before the game, so he had to go take care of it. Family first, personal stuff first. He went and took care of it and he was back on the bench sometime in the middle of the game.”
No additional details were provided, but implications are Seager and his family are OK.
Seager began the day having appeared in 39 of the Dodgers’ first 40 games. Of those, 35 were starts. Overall this season he’s batting .230/.327/.348 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI.
Much like he has with Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has maintained confidence and emphasized a need for patience with Seager. He added there was a sense Seager would turn the corner in the near future now that he’d logged more than 150 plate appearances.
