CHICAGO _ Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed increased confidence that shortstop Corey Seager will be ready for the World Series, should the Dodgers advance.
Seager played catch Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. He is scheduled to take swings off a batting tee Thursday, which is considered a significant test of his injured lower back. Seager sprained a muscle in his back during the division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and was left off the Dodgers' roster for the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs.
"It's progressing, obviously, in the right direction," Roberts said.
Seager has been exercising the last two days. The team elected to leave him in Los Angeles, rather than risk aggravating his back on the flight to Chicago. Roberts watched video of Seager's workouts. Roberts felt encouraged by Seager's ability to rotate his hips and back in exercises.
"Just seeing him run is a good thing," Roberts said.
With Seager out, the Dodgers have rotated Chris Taylor and Charlie Culberson at shortstop. Culberson started against left-handed pitchers during the first two games against the Cubs; Taylor started against right-handed pitchers in the next two games.
