July 9th, 2019 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka During last Saturday’s pre-game media scrum, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if two-time All-Star / two-time Silver Slugger shortstop Corey Seager, who is working his way back from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, would be good to go for the first game after the All-Star break on Friday, July 12, against the Boston Red Sox at historic Fenway Park.
“Yeah, that’s the plan,” Roberts answered. “He’s had some time off, the last two weeks off, so for him to play Monday (with Rancho Cucamonga) – will be his last day – and then he’ll get somewhat of a break, he’ll be ready to go on Friday. Yeah, he’ll be fine.”
To that point, the 25-year-old Charlotte, NC native and Dodgers first round draft pick in 2012 out of Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, NC had made one rehab appearance with the team’s Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and was scheduled for two more.
The follow-up question, of course, was whether or not Seager would be on any kind of an innings limitation upon his return to action.
“I would say no. When he comes back, no innings limitation,” Roberts replied. “But I would see him playing all three in Boston – we have three night games – and then I would see him playing three of four in Philadelphia. So that kind of set the groundwork for him coming back.”
Since that time, Seager did, in fact, make two additional rehab appearances with the Quakes, during which he went a combined 2-for-6 (.333) at the plate (all singles) with one run batted in. On defense, he made two putouts with three assists in five total chances for a 1.000 fielding percentage.
As Dodger fans know, the extremely popular 6′-4″ / 215-pound shortstop and 2016 National League Rookie of the Year was really beginning to heat up when he injured his hamstring while running the bases during a June 11 game against the Angels of Anaheim at Angels Stadium. In fact, in the 15 games prior to his injury, Seager slashed a remarkable .411 / .459 / .732 / for a alien-like 1.191 OPS that included three home runs, nine doubles and 14 RBI.
Remarkable indeed.
With the National League West first place Dodgers (60-32) having lost their last three games – at home – to the National League West third place San Diego Padres (45-45), Seager’s return absolutely positively couldn’t come at a better time.
Welcome back, Seags!
Play Ball!
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Roberts will most likely have him DH-ing in the Boston series and then slowly incorporate him back at SS in an initial platoon with either Taylor or Hernandez afterward for at least another week (two would be more ideal, however). Like I keep on saying, there’s NO reason to rush any player on this current roster back from a serious injury. This year’s club is built to destroy all in its path and only needs one slightly major tweak (late-inning bullpen arm, preferably a LHP) as well as a relatively minor one (making rookie Will Smith the full-time starting C) to give themselves the best possible chance of getting it done come October.