As the Los Angeles Dodgers remain hopeful Clayton Kershaw will rebound from the shoulder inflammation that’s interrupted his Spring Training progression, Corey Seager continues to work toward becoming fully prepared for game action by Opening Day.
Seager underwent Tommy John surgery last May, cutting his 2018 season short after just 26 games. He then had arthroscopic hip surgery in August, which was not expected to impact his original timetable of being available come Spring Training.
The Dodgers have handled their young shortstop with caution, as it wasn’t until this week that Seager began swinging the bat in a live setting. It came days after he threw across the diamond for the first time.
Now the 24-year-old has reached another benchmark by participating in a Minor League game at Camelback Ranch, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com
“Corey had a good day today,” said manager Dave Roberts. “He threw out to 150 feet and really let it go, first time on a line. Corey was excited about that. He ran the bases, he took four at-bats and felt good in the batter’s box. Obviously, the timing is not synched up, but for him to go through the progression of playing a game, it was a good day for Corey. It continues to check a box and we continue to move forward.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously indicated the bulk of Seager’s playing time this spring would likely come in ‘B’ games. He added the club was more concerned with how Seager would respond to playing the field rather than re-acclimate himself at the plate.
That would explain Seager being limited to at-bats and running the bases in his first game. He presumably will continue with a steady buildup before possibly appearing in a Cactus League game.
As much as the Dodgers are anticipating having Seager in the lineup this season, they are guarding against being over-anxious with his recovery process.
