The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a four-game winning streak and in position to sweep the Miami Marlins, but Sunday also marks the start of an indefinite period of being without Corey Seager due to a fractured right hand.
Seager suffered the injury on a hit by pitch in the fifth inning Saturday night. He immediately was removed from the game and the Dodgers announced the diagnosis shortly after their 7-0 win.
Gavin Lux gets the first opportunity to start at shortstop in Seager’s absence, and he will be the primary option moving forward. Lux has only played six games (two starts) at his natural position so far this season. He exclusively played second base while up with the Dodgers in 2019 and 2020.
With Seager out of the lineup, Max Muncy is moved up to batting second. Muncy had his streak of hitting a home run snapped at three games, but is coming off a 3-for-4 effort. Muncy has hit safely in four consecutive games.
Given AJ Pollock is also out and on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, Matt Beaty makes a second consecutive start in left field. Beaty only logged two plate appearances on Saturday before getting ejected in a rushed decision by home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild.
As for matters on the mound, Jimmy Nelson serves as an opener in a bullpen game for the Dodgers. “I can see him going two innings, I can see him going three innings,” manager Dave Roberts said.
A strong showing in Spring Training didn’t carry into the regular season, but Nelson has since found his footing. The right-hander enters the series finale without allowing a run in his last five appearances.
The Marlins counter with Pablo Lopez in his first time starting at Dodger Stadium. Lopez is coming off a rough outing as he allowed six runs in 4.1 innings. Overall this season he’s 0-3 with a 3.07 ERA. Lopez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of eight starts.
The Dodgers officially placed Seager on the 10-day IL and recalled Keibert Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chris Taylor was a late scratch and replaced by Sheldon Neuse at second base.
Dodgers lineup
CF: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
LF: Matt Beaty
SS: Gavin Lux
RF: Luke Raley
2B: Sheldon Neuse
C: Austin Barnes
P: Jimmy Nelson
Marlins lineup
SS: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
1B: Garrett Cooper
LF: Corey Dickerson
RF: Adam Duvall
2B: Isan Diaz
3B: Brian Anderson
CF: Magneuris Sierra
C: Chad Wallach
P: Pablo Lopez
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