After losing Corey Seager for all but the first month of the 2018 regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers anticipated the unanimous 2016 National League Rookie of the Year making a full recovery from Tommy John surgery by the start of Spring Training this year.
While Seager was on the mend from the operation to repair the damaged ligament in his throwing elbow, he underwent arthroscopic hip surgery. Though, his timeline remained the same.
Although he was initially limited to fielding grounders and tracking pitches, Seager steadily increased his level of activity as camp wore on. He began throwing across the diamond and took swings in live batting practice.
Seager recently played his position for the first time since last April, and according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, is scheduled to increase his innings spent in the field during upcoming Minor League games:
Corey Seager is scheduled to play five innings at SS tomorrow, then a day off, then seven. These will be in minor league games.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 15, 2019
Assuming all continues to go well, Seager presumably will make his way into a Cactus League game or play during the exhibition Freeway Series. The Dodgers have maintained the 24-year-old would be available come Opening Day, though they also would protect against possibly rushing a return.
Regardless of whether or not that comes to fruition, manager Dave Roberts has previously expressed more of a concern with getting Seager ample time at shortstop — even if it comes in Minor League games — as opposed to at-bats to ensure he’s able to physically handle the demands.
