Even without Corey Seager, the Los Angeles Dodgers dismantled the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs in five games in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers were optimistic Seager would overcome back trouble as the NLCS drew near.
But once it came time to officially set a 25-man active roster, the All-Star shortstop was not included. Seager was said to have suffered a lower back sprain while sliding into second base during Game 3 of the NL Division Series.
He received an epidural injection the day after the Dodgers swept the Arizona Diamondbacks and missed NLCS workouts in lieu of receiving treatment. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed some confidence Seager would return if the team advanced to the World Series.
With a spot in the Fall Classic not secured, the 23-year-old has made recent strides toward being added to the roster for the matchup with the American League champion.
Seager’s latest activity entailed fielding ground balls and throwing over to first base, via ESPN’s Arash Markazi:
It looks like the first player on the field after the World Series logos were painted on the field at Dodger Stadium is Corey Seager. pic.twitter.com/eFH7kvAPx2
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 20, 2017
Assuming Seager returns to the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the World Series, which Roberts said the team is expecting, it will be his first game action in 15 days.
Seager went 3-for-11 with three runs scored, a triple, four RBI, four walks and three strikeouts in the NLDS. He presumably will take part in simulated games leading up to the World Series to refine his timing at the plate.
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