Seager set for Freeway Series, Opening Day

Jansen throws back-to-back days; Muncy continues rehab

March 18th, 2019

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- will play all three games of the Freeway Series against the Angels and start on Opening Day against the D-backs, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday.

Seager is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and a procedure on his left hip, and he has not played in the Cactus League this spring. The Dodgers have been managing his comeback by restricting him to Minor League games.

After continuing his rehab with three at-bats on the Minor League side on Saturday, Seager is scheduled to play seven innings at shortstop in a Minor League game on Monday and advance to the Major League side later in the week.

“Corey will come with us [to California], and I expect him to play with us [in the Freeway Series],” Roberts said. “Absolutely, we expect him to play Opening Day. In talking to the training staff and Corey, the progression, we’ve been conservative, understandably, and I don’t see any reason he won’t be ready Opening Day.”

Seager’s at-bats have not been particularly productive, but Roberts said he’s more concerned with how Seager feels coming out of the workouts.

“With hitters, it can be an at-bat or a couple of at-bats and you just find something,” said Roberts.

Taylor leads offense vs. Crew
In Sunday’s game, broke out of his Spring slump with a three-run homer and added a solo shot as the Dodgers lost to the Brewers, 9-8, after leading through three innings, 6-1. Roberts went home sick at the start of the game and bench coach Bob Geren took over.

Taylor, who also doubled, came into the game batting .184 with 15 strikeouts in 38 at-bats.

“I felt much better today,” Taylor said. “[Hitting coach Rob Van Scoyoc] pointed out to me that I looked kind of tense in my back shoulder, and that was something I was unaware of. Just the thought of relaxing my shoulder kind of relaxed me altogether, and I felt more comfortable.”

Hill stretched out to 4 2/3 innings, with two of the three runs he allowed scoring in the fifth inning. He allowed eight hits but struck out four with no walks.

Worth noting
• Closer , who pitched an inning on Saturday, threw on back-to-back days for the first time with an inning in a Minor League game on Sunday. , who also pitched an inning on Saturday, threw a bullpen session for his back-to-back workout.

• First baseman continued his recovery from a stiff right wrist with a workout on the Minor League side on Sunday, which included hitting and throwing. He said he has no concern about being ready for Opening Day. His last game was Wednesday.

• Reliever , having his best spring with the Dodgers, left the club for two days to attend to a family matter in his native Dominican Republic. He is expected back on Tuesday.

• Jeronimo Castro, who pitched in Class A last year, is spending a week in big league camp as a reward for being named the Teammate of the Year in the Dodgers' system. He’s a 22-year-old right-hander and the brother of Simon Castro of the A’s.

• The Dodgers promoted farm director Brandon Gomes from director of player development to vice president and assistant general manager, a title he shares with Jeff Kingston; the Dodgers still don’t have a general manager after the departure of Farhan Zaidi to the Giants. The Dodgers also named Will Rhymes director of player development, Alex Slater director of baseball operations and Duncan Webb director of baseball resources. Rhymes was assistant farm director, Slater was director of baseball development and scouting and Webb was coordinator of international player development.

Up Next
starts for the Dodgers on Monday against Mike Minor and the Rangers at Surprise. Kevin Quackenbush is also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers.