Seager has 'really good feeling' in recovery

Dodgers shortstop still on track for Opening Day return

February 16th, 2019

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- 's rehab from elbow and hip operations continues without setback, and the Dodgers shortstop still sees no reason why he won't be ready for Opening Day.
"Absolutely," Seager said Saturday. "I still have stuff I have to try for the first time, but I think my confidence is the same."
:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
Seager underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction last May 6 and followed that on Aug. 7 with arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn left hip labrum and shave a misshaped bone.
Manager Dave Roberts said Seager "is a full go with everything -- outside of the throwing" across the infield.
"The range to the left and right with the hip, the body moving around, the swing is full bore and now it's just the throwing," said Roberts. "He's out to 130 feet. Not quite across the field, but he's in a good place."

Seager said the throwing limitation is placed on him by the medical department, not by any discomfort.
"Both feel really good," he said of the repaired joints. "I'm still building it up, haven't had problems with anything. Absolutely I feel like I'm healthy. It's a really good feeling. It's nice to feel you're able to do everything and not have to worry anymore."

Seager began a throwing program in October. He has been hitting since early February. He's learned that virtually all baseball activities go through the hip, which he admits was bothering him since the middle of last year, offensively and defensively. But, he added, that makes him even more confident he's about to be healthy for the first time in years.
"I didn't think I'd notice [improvement] as much as I did, especially the range of motion," he said. "It's easier to stay in a squat. Stable is not the right word, but I can get into a squat and hold it instead of having to get out of it right away."
Roberts said he's noticed steady progression in the past week.
"There were balls in the hole yesterday that he was challenged on and I sort of cringed at times, but he said he felt good and normal and it was encouraging," Roberts said.
"As we have it mapped out, he's scheduled to be ready for Opening Day. I don't know when that means he's throwing across the diamond or playing in Spring Training games, but right now the focus is just on building that arm up."