The Los Angeles Dodgers officially completed their trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner on Friday, and also welcomed back Corey Seager as he was reinstated from the 60-day injured list prior to the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
A subsequent move on the 40-man roster was not required due to the Dodgers removing Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and DJ Peters via multiple transactions the past two days. Including Gray in the trade with the Washington Nationals freed up a spot on the active roster.
Scerzer, Danny Duffy and Chad Wallach (claimed off waivers) have filled the other 40-man roster spots. L.A. will need to make a move once Turner is cleared to return from the COVID injured list.
As for Seager, he’s active for the first time since May 15, when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a fifth metacarpal in his right hand. The Dodgers were relieved Seager did not require surgery, but manager Dave Roberts estimated he would still be out upwards of two months.
Seager began to make strides toward returning before the All-Star break, only to start experiencing some soreness in his right hand as the level of activity increased. A bone scan revealed the fractured had not fully healed and caused a delay in the recovery process.
Seager spent this past week participating in games at Camelback Ranch as the final checkpoint. He returns without having joined a Minor League affiliate for a rehab assignment, which the Dodgers had waffled on anyhow.
Limited to just 37 games because of the injury, the 2020 World Series MVP has hit .265/.361/.422 with seven doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI and a 118 wRC+ this season.
Seager first of reinforcements
The Dodgers added significant talent to their roster at the trade deadline, but Seager coming off the IL is the first of multiple players they anticipate returning in the weeks ahead.
Mookie Betts is on track to be reinstated from the 10-day IL for the series finale against the Diamondbacks, Clayton Kershaw may return next weekend, and Corey Knebel wouldn’t be far behind as he’s already started a rehab assignment.
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