PHOENIX -- With Cody Bellinger about to return to the Dodgers' lineup, Corey Seager is now out of it.
Seager has a sore right elbow, manager Dave Roberts said, which is why Seager didn't start on Tuesday night against the D-backs and has either sat or been the DH in three of the Dodgers' last 10 games. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 7-6 loss, grounding out.
"Can't recall what incident led to it, but it's something he's been managing, and [he's sitting] just to get ahead of it. It's a day-to-day thing," Roberts said. "It doesn't bother him hitting, so he's available to hit. When he gets back to the starting lineup is contingent on his symptoms. It's been a couple weeks. One throw lit him up a little bit. If we manage it, it should be fine."
Roberts said Seager has been trying to manage the elbow tenderness since the club's last trip. Since Seager can pinch-hit and rosters expanding Friday, the decision was made not to place Seager on the disabled list, but Roberts wouldn't speculate how long he will be out of the lineup.
News of Seager's sore elbow came as Bellinger was heading out of Chase Field to play one rehab game in the Arizona League Tuesday night before his Wednesday activation from the DL with a sprained right ankle.
Roberts reiterated that Bellinger would return as the first baseman and Curtis Granderson in left field, with Bellinger occasionally moving to left field when Adrian Gonzalez starts at first base. Roberts also suggested a possible alignment of Granderson in left field and Bellinger in right or center. He said he wouldn't avoid putting Bellinger back in the outfield just because he suffered his ankle injury making a catch in right field.
Meanwhile, Roberts said Clayton Kershaw's back is healed and he will start Friday night in San Diego. Alex Wood has recovered from his sternum inflammation and will start Sunday. Andre Ethier continues his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City and will be activated Saturday. Brandon McCarthy had a bullpen session at Chase Field after a shaky rehab start over the weekend.