At the time of being diagnosed with a left knee sprain, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was said to go one to weeks without completing any baseball activities. The timetable put his availability for Opening Day in question, however Dodgers manager Dave Roberts kept a positive outlook.
Sure enough, Seager returned to the field this week as he completed conditioning drills for the first time since sustaining the injury, under the watchful eye of Dodgers strength and conditioning coach Brandon McDaniel.
The 21-year-old shortstop advanced to playing in a Minor League game on Thursday, though he was limited to just four at-bats — not playing any defense or running out of the batter’s box on a hit.
Seager is expected to increase his level of activity in a Minor League game on Friday, and according to ESPN’s Doug Padilla, has progressed down the recovery trail without mental or physical issues:
“I’ve had no problems so far so that’s been nice,” Seager said. “Mentally it’s been great because there has been no pain. It would probably be a little more frustrating if there was a little pain. If I had any setbacks that would kind of mess with me mentally. So far it’s been good on both sides, physically and mentally.”
Seager batted .337/.425/.561 with four home runs, eight doubles, 17 RBIs, a .421 wOBA and 175 wRC+ in 27 regular-season games with the Dodgers in 2015. He then became the youngest position player to start a postseason game in franchise history.
This season, Seager is poised for his first full year in the Majors as the Dodgers’ undisputed starting shortstop.
