GLENDALE, Ariz. — Corey Seager is running at nearly 100 percent and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hopes his recovering shortstop can get 50 to 60 at-bats during spring training.
Roberts held his first spring training press briefing Tuesday ahead of the start of workouts for the two-time NL champions. Seager was limited to 26 games last season and did not play after April 29. He had Tommy John surgery on May 4 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and had arthroscopic surgery on his left hip on Aug. 7.
Roberts said Seager is throwing at 90 feet.
Beginning his fourth season as manager, Roberts said left-hander Clayton Kershaw is healthy and his ace would like to regain some velocity. Kershaw’s average fastball velocity dropped from 93 mph in 2017 to 91 mph last season, when he dealt with a back injury.
Closer Kenley Jansen is expected to have a more aggressive spring training routine following surgery Nov. 26 to correct an irregular heartbeat.
Roberts also says he expects reacquired catcher Russell Martin and Austin Barnes will compete for time behind the plate.