After sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks to advance to the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers took two days off before resuming team activities in preparation for their next playoff matchup.
The identity of their NLCS opponent won’t be known until late Thursday night, as the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals played to a Game 5 in their NL Division Series. While the Dodgers held a workout at Dodger Stadium, Corey Seager was not a participant.
It was not to provide the 23-year-old with additional rest but instead due to a minor back ailment/injury sustained in Game 3 against the Diamondbacks.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Seager tweaked his back but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects him to be in the lineup on Saturday for Game 1 of the NLCS:
Roberts said Seager did tweak his back sliding in 3rd inning of Game 3. That’s reason why he isn’t on field. Said he’ll be ready Game 1.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) October 13, 2017
Multiple reports from the NLCS workout indicated Roberts expressed minimal concern over the situation. Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor fielded grounders at shortstop in Seager’s absence.
The 2016 NL Rookie of the Year was slowed by a sore right elbow in late August and into September. It limited him to pinch-hit duty and also threw Seager’s timing off at the plate. He’s intimated offseason surgery will be necessary.
While Seager began to find his rhythm down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs, he said maintenance of the elbow will be necessary during the Dodgers’ playoff run. He went 3-for-11 with a triple, two RBI, four walks and two strikeouts in the NLDS.
Seager went hitless in Game 3 but worked two walks against Zack Greinke.
