Seager’s on track to be back

CHICAGO — The absence of their best everyday player barely registered for the Dodgers in the NLCS.

But Corey Seager’s back has improved in recent days, according to manager Dave Roberts, and the All-Star shortstop is expected to rejoin the team for the World Series, giving the Dodgers another weapon in a loaded lineup that easily handled the Cubs over five games.

Seager sprained a muscle in his back during the NLDS against the Diamondbacks, prompting the Dodgers to exclude him from the roster for this round. But Seager has been working out in Los Angeles in recent days, Roberts said, and should be ready for the World Series.

“I know Corey was at home and watching every single pitch and exchanging text messages with myself and the players and rooting us on,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 11-1 victory that clinched the NL pennant Thursday. “He’s doing everything he can to get healthy. We expect him back for Game 1.”

His return to the lineup would add one further consideration for Yankees pitchers should a New York-Los Angeles matchup come to fruition in the World Series. The Dodgers barely missed a beat in the NLCS, with Justin Turner, Yasiel Puig, Chris Taylor and Cody Bellinger leading this high-powered offense.

But the Dodgers did not lead the major leagues with 104 victories in the regular season by relying on only one — or even just a few — players.

“[Clayton] Kershaw went down, Corey went down, J.T. went down, [Bellinger] went down,” closer Kenley Jansen said. “[Adrian Gonzalez] was down the whole year. We don’t let that stuff bother us. That’s what is special about this team. Whoever went down, we just try to pick them up.”

Seager, the NL Rookie of the Year in 2016, posted a .295/.375/.479 slash line with 22 homers and 77 RBIs during the regular season.

Charlie Culberson, who shared time at shortstop with Taylor in Seager’s absence, went 5-for-11 (.455) in the NLCS.

“Obviously when you have a guy like Charlie Culberson that can fill in like that, made some spectacular defensive plays, some big hits, it was great to see from Charlie,” Roberts said. “But obviously we’re hoping to get Corey back for the World Series.”