As expected, when Dodgers beat writers and reporters dialed in to Saturday afternoon’s pre-World Series conference call with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the leadoff question (and several others throughout) dealt with whether or not reigning 2016 National League Rookie of the Year shortstop Corey Seager will be on the Dodgers 25-man World Series roster, let alone see much playing time in the 2017 Fall Classic. But when the conference call ended some 12 minutes later, reporters were left with as many – if not more – questions than when the interview began.

It’s not that Roberts was being evasive in his answers, it’s just that he and the Dodgers medical staff simply aren’t ready to commit to a definitive ‘yes or no’ answer yet. That being said, it’s probably safe to say that many of those in on the conference call were left with a definite maybe feeling.

“Corey is taking swings off the tee, done some flips, he’s run curves on the field,” Roberts said. “Looking at the video with the training staff, everything looks good. But obviously, we’ll know more today.”

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager finally began baseball activities this past week. Although the team is hopeful that he will be ready in time for the upcoming World Series, his role might be limited to that of designated hitter when the team arrives in Houston. (Photo credit – Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

So what, then, is left for Seager to do to convince Roberts and the medical staff that he is ready to return to action?

“I think for him obviously the biggest hurdle is, we’re going to have some pitchers throwing in the next couple days, some live arms, and I’m sure he’s going to get in there and take some swings and take some ground balls at short and do as he did yesterday as well,” Roberts answered. “But just to kind of simulate that game speed against an actual live pitcher will be telling.”

Although having their 23-year-old former 2012 first-round draft pick and second-best hitter during the regular season on their World Series roster would most certainly be a good thing, is it the wise thing to do? I mean let’s be honest here, replacement shortstops Chris Taylor and even more so Charlie Culberson haven’t just been good replacements for Seager as he recovers from what is being called a “sprained lower back” and lingering elbow issues, they have been outstanding, both defensive and especially offensively. And to be brutally honest and with absolutely no disrespect whatsoever intended towards Seager, having him return and replace Taylor or Culberson now could prove disastrous against a very good Houston Astros team. In other words, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

…which brings us back to that maybe thing again.

“It’s great, it’s a great feeling to know that you have such amazing depth in a player of Charlie’s character and Chris Taylor’s character and those guys as baseball players to pick up a guy like Corey Seager, and that’s not easy to do, to replace Corey,” Roberts said. “So again, we’re hopeful that he’ll be back for game-1, but yeah, if it doesn’t go as we expect, and have those two guys fill in is certainly comforting.”

In all fairness to the 6′-4″ / 220-pound Charlotte, North Carolina native and younger brother of Seattle Mariners star third baseman Kyle Seager, the Dodgers wouldn’t have even made it to the Fall Classic had it not been for their young shortstop, something that is not lost on the the Dodgers skipper. He also expressed his confidence leaning towards the definite side of the equation and insists that there have been no setbacks in Seager’s recovery.

“No, I think that we’re very optimistic and I’m looking forward to seeing him with my own eyes [on Saturday],” Roberts said. “I’ve seen video, talked to him, but I think that until I can see him with my own eyes and talk to the training staff and really get a grasp on it, and know we still have some days to make a decision, but no, we’re certainly optimistic, and Corey really doesn’t want to be denied.”

Although we won’t know for sure whether or not Seager will be on the Dodgers World Series roster until rosters are due on Tuesday morning, it’s reassuring to know that the team will be in very good hands in the event that he is not … definite maybe notwithstanding.