The Los Angeles Dodgers are at a point in the season where they must juggle clinching a fifth consecutive National League West title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with overall health. Of late, Cody Bellinger, Yu Darvish and Alex Wood are among those who were placed on the disabled list.
Darvish returned last Sunday to start against the Milwaukee Brewers, while Bellinger is set to be activated Wednesday, and Wood for the weekend series against the San Diego Padres. Clayton Kershaw, on the DL since July 24, is expected to be reinstated and start Friday.
As the Dodgers open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night, they do so without Corey Seager starting at shortstop.
That’s because the 23-year-old continues to be bothered by a sore elbow that’s limited him to pinch-hit duty, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Corey Seager has a sore elbow. Been managing it for couple weeks. Available to hit but day to day in field
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 29, 2017
Seager was seen working on his elbow with a trainer during the Dodgers’ recent road trip. Prior to Tuesday, he last did not start in the finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates and received the entire afternoon off.
In 119 games this season, Seager is batting .311/.392/.502 with 30 doubles, 19 home runs and 65 RBI. He missed five consecutive games in June while recovering from hamstring tightness.
Tuesday marks the start of 17 games in 16 days. The Dodgers’ only remaining off days this season are Sept. 14 and 28.
