Dodgers' Corey Seager leaves game after being hit by pitch

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager left Saturday night’s game in the fifth inning after being hit in the right hand/wrist area by a pitch from Marlins southpaw Ross Detwiler. Seager was immediately removed and didn’t take first base, as Sheldon Neuse replaced Seager as a pinch-runner.

There isn’t yet any word on the severity of Seager’s injury, although even a day-to-day type of absence wouldn’t be good news for a Dodger team that already has plenty of key personnel on the injured list. Just Saturday, AJ Pollock joined such names as Cody Bellinger, Tony Gonsolin, David Price, Brusdar Graterol, Scott Alexander and Zach McKinstry on the short-term IL, while Dustin May and Edwin Rios have suffered season-ending injuries.

Losing Seager would be a particularly tough blow considering both his status as one of the game’s best shortstops, and because the Dodgers’ depth at the position is already thinned by the absence of utilityman McKinstry. In the event of a lengthy absence for Seager, Chris Taylor would likely take the reins at shortstop with Neuse backing him up. Moving Taylor out of center field could require Mookie Betts to shift over to center, thus opening up a space in right field that would need to be addressed. Fortunately for Los Angeles, Bellinger and McKinstry are both close to beginning rehab assignments, although that wouldn’t help in the short term if Seager is out.

Seager is hitting .265/.361/.422 with four home runs over his first 169 plate appearances of the season. Even though his 121 wRC+ is down from the 152 wRC+ posted over 232 PA in 2020, a Seager who stays healthy and productive throughout the season will be well-positioned to be one of the top free agents of the 2021-22 offseason.