Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager started the season at a superb pace, but a back injury forced him out of their game against the Giants on August 7, and he has not played since. Manager Dave Roberts published an update on Seager on Tuesday, saying (via Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times) that the 26-year-old is in the middle of a “Slow progression.” While Seager managed to catch, run and catch this week, the Dodgers did not rule out a stint on the injured list for the two-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year.
Seager was a durable and highly effective part of the 2016-17 club, but Tommy John’s operation limited him to 26 games next season. He also spent time at IL last year due to hamstring problems, although Seager appeared in 134 games. His production then was closer to very good than great, but Seager once again looked like one of the elite shortstops in the game this year before suffering this injury. Through 54 record appearances in 2020, he hit .340 / .389 / .600 (176 wRC +) with three home points.
As always, the Dodgers are loaded with depth – they have the luxurious hand to plug in Chris Taylor en Enrique Hernandez shortly too late – although they are certainly a better team than Seager’s. LA has won seven straight NL West titles, but at 11-7 it now stares straight at the Rockies and tied with the Padres, who have beaten the Dodgers in back-to-back days.
