MLB Player News

Seager (back) will be a part of the Dodgers' World Series roster, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

The 23-year-old shortstop missed the Dodgers' five-game NLCS win over the Cubs while dealing with a back issue, but he's been ramping up his activities in recent days and appears to be good to go for the World Series after getting through a simulated game with no issues Monday. The Dodgers are expected to release their official roster prior to Game 1 on Tuesday, but his return would obviously provide a big boost. While Seager is expected to be included on the roster, it's still not a given that he'll start the first game of the series; Los Angeles could choose to use him as a high-leverage pinch hitter at first to avoid the possibility of him aggravating his back injury in the field.

Seager (back) is scheduled to take part in a simulated game Monday and hopes to receive clearance to return to the lineup for Game 1 of the Dodgers' World Series matchup with the Astros on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Seager didn't travel with the Dodgers during their five-game National League Championship Series win over the Cubs while contending with the back issue, but the Dodgers didn't miss a beat. Charlie Culberson started three of the games at shortstop and hit .511 and offered strong defense up the middle, while Chris Taylor started the other two games at the position en route to earning NLCS co-MVP honors. The return of Seager, who slashed .295/.375/.479 in his second full season in the big leagues, would still amount to an upgrade at the position, so the 23-year-old will look to prove that he's healthy Monday before the World Series gets underway. Seager has previously been able to run curves on the field, take ground balls and hit off a tee over the past couple of days, but the simulated game would represent the final hurdle he would need to clear in the recovery process.

Manager Dave Roberts said Seager (back) has been hitting off a tee and running curves on the field, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Seager's back continues to improve, and the Dodgers remain hopeful that he'll be ready to rejoin the starting nine for Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday. "We're very optimistic," Roberts said Saturday. "Corey really doesn't want to be denied." Seager is expected to face live pitching Sunday and Monday, after which there should be a clearer idea regarding his status for the beginning of the Fall Classic. The Dodgers may choose to use him as their DH -- or as a high-leverage pinch hitter in home games -- if they don't want to risk the possibility of him aggravating his back injury in the field.

Manager Dave Roberts said he expects Seager (back) to be ready for the World Series, should the Dodgers make it, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager's back has been steadily improving, and he was able to play catch with no issues Wednesday. The 23-year-old will continue to ramp up his activity -- he's scheduled to take swings Thursday -- but barring any setbacks, it sounds like the Dodgers will have their star shortstop back for the Fall Classic if they're able to close out the Cubs in the NLCS (Los Angeles leads the series 3-1).

Seager (back) may start to play catch Wednesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

He moved well Tuesday and began to work in the weight room. With the Dodgers moving ahead 3-0 in the NLCS, they have the luxury of continuing to play from an advantageous position without their best position player. It's possible he could return to action if the Dodgers advance to the World Series.

Baez is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Baez is 0-for-19 in the postseason, so manager Joe Maddon will go with switch-hitting Ben Zobrist at second base against right-hander Yu Darvish. Baez will be available off the bench and could see action as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement late in the game.

Seager's (back) condition is improving, and he's close to feeling normal, Jack Magruder of FanRagSports.com reports.

While this is certainly promising news for the Dodgers, there are still no plans for him to play in the NLCS. Charlie Culberson started Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday with Seager out of the lineup. Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor could also serve as candidates to fill in with Seager out.

Seager (back) will not travel with the Dodgers when the NLCS shifts to Chicago, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

The talented young shortstop is dealing with a back injury that is preventing him from running or swinging a bat. Seager was left off the official NLCS roster, but there's a slim chance he plays if the Dodgers have to make a DL move. However, the fact that he won't travel to Chicago suggests that he won't be available until Game 6 at the earliest if the series makes it that far.

Seager (back) has yet to receive medical clearance to swing a bat or participate in running drills, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager's back injury led to him being left off the NLCS roster, and the fact that he's not cleared to test out the ailment suggests he'll have a difficult time appearing in this series unless the Dodgers make a DL move. Charlie Culberson will start at shortstop in his place for Game 1 on Saturday.

Seager (back) was left off the NLCS roster against the Cubs, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

In a devastating blow for the Dodgers, Seager will be unavailable for the series against the Cubs due to the back injury he sustained in Game 3 of the NLDS against Arizona. The only way that Seager would be able to rejoin the team during the series is if another member of the team sustains an injury that warrants a trip to the disabled list; otherwise, he will be out until the World Series, were the Dodgers to advance. In his place, Charlie Culberson was added to the active roster, while Chris Taylor is sure to see time manning the shortstop position.