The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a rash of injuries throughout the season and at present time remain without everyday players Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Corey Seager, though each of the three could be activated in the near future.
Seager has been on the 10-day injured list since May 16 due a right hand fracture that was sustained when he was hit by a pitch. He steadily has increased the level of baseball activities and on Friday advanced to taking batting practice for the first time since the hand injury.
Seager already was fielding grounders and throwing across the diamond without issue, and within the past week advanced from hitting tennis balls to off a tee before joining the Dodgers for on-field work. The start of a rehab assignment now is on the horizon.
“I think he’s checked those boxes. It’s just more of doing some simulated stuff,” manager Dave Roberts explained. “For him to go out early next week (for a rehab assignment) is our hope. Then let him and the hitting guys try to figure out where he’s at as far as timing-wise, and get him back.”
When Seager suffered the fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand, the Dodgers were relieved to learn surgery would not be required. However, Roberts nonetheless set a rough timetable of being without the 2020 World Series MVP for anywhere from four to six weeks.
Although limited through the early stages of the recovery process, the 27-year-old still kept plenty active. “There’s some lower half, conditioning stuff, oblique stuff he’s going to stay on top of,” Roberts said last month.
“There’s glove work he can continue to do, there’s top hand stuff he can continue to do. And then we have the VR to keep his mind right and sharp.”
Seager nominated for ESPYS Award
Coming off a remarkable showing in the 2020 postseason, Seager was named a finalist for the ESPYS’ Best MLB Player.
He’s accompanied by Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox, the L.A. Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers teammate Trevor Bauer.
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