Back injury keeps Seager off Dodgers’ series roster
LOS ANGELES — AllStar shortstop Corey Seager was left off the Dodgers roster for the Natonal League Championship Series against the Cubs due to a back injury.
The Dodgers announced Seager’s surprise omission several hours before Game 1 on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
Charlie Culberson, who had 15 plate appearances in the big leagues this season, replaced Seager in the lineup.
Seager complained of back soreness during the Dodgers’ NL Division Series clincher Monday in Phoenix after sliding into second base in the first inning. The 2016 National League Rookie of the Year didn’t run or participate in team workouts this week, and he had an epidural shot Tuesday.
“It improved, but (not) enough to warrant him being out there,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s still sore. (Seager) hasn’t hit, hasn’t moved around, and to (decide whether) he can not only take the field but be effective out there, I think that we had to weigh everything.”
Instead, Seager likely can’t play again this postseason unless the Dodgers reach their first World Series since 1988. Seager theoretically could be added back to the NLCS roster if a teammate was seriously injured, but Roberts downplayed that possibility before Game 1.
“In the coming days, if it continues to improve and he can pass some tests, that’s a different story,” Roberts said. “A couple of things right there have to SCHEDULE Game 1: Game 2:
Game 3: Game 4: *Game 5: *Game 6: *Game 7: happen for us entertain that.”
The Dodgers also dropped reliever Pedro Baez from their roster. Culberson and outfielder Joc Pederson were added.
The Cubs made only one change from the NLDS against the Nationals, adding right-handed reliever Hector Rondon and removing left-handed reliever Justin Wilson.
Seager led the Dodgers with 159 hits this season, batting .295 with 22 homers to even and 77 RBIs while playing in 145 games. He went 3-for-11 with four walks and two RBIs in the division series, batting second in the lineup in all three games.
The Dodgers’ remaining options at shortstop are center fielder Chris Taylor and backup infielders Enrique Hernandez and Culberson. Roberts went with Culberson, who batted eighth against Cubs lefthander Jose Quintana.
“Obviously, it’s a big blow,” said Rich Hill, the Dodgers’ Game 2 starter.
“The guy has fought with us the entire year. It’s just an unfortunate thing that happens in sports when you get an injury. We’re looking for the other guys to step up with Charlie and C.T, which is great.
“We don’t know where the next guy is going to come from that’s going to be ... the hero of the game, or however you want to put it. But you can definitely see that story line building, I guess.”