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Corey Seager is out of the Dodgers’ lineup for a fifth straight game, but continues to make progress with his lower back discomfort.
Seager was described by manager Dave Roberts as “a full participant” in baseball activities on Wednesday, meaning taking batting practice for the first time since his injury, and also running and taking grounders before the game.
Dodgers-Padres lineups
| Pos | Padres | Pos | Dodgers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Padres | Pos | Dodgers |
| SS | Tatis | LF | Pederson (L) |
| CF | Grisham (L) | RF | Betts |
| 3B | Machado | DH | Bellinger (L) |
| LF | Pham | 3B | Turner |
| 1B | Cronenworth (L) | 2B | Muncy (L) |
| RF | Myers | CF | Pollock |
| DH | Garcia (L) | SS | Taylor |
| C | Mejia (S) | 1B | Rios (L) |
| 2B | Profar (S) | C | Smith |
“There’s still no timeline on when he’s going to be back,” Roberts said. “But I will say that when he does come back, it’s likely the first day or two, he’ll probably be in a DH role.”
Designated hitter duties on Wednesday fall to Cody Bellinger, a second straight night not in center field after starting at first base Tuesday. He’s just 12-for-72 on the season with two home runs, hitting .167/.221/.264. Per Baseball Savant, his expected batting average is .241 with an expected .383 slugging percentage.
That’s down from an expected .324 batting average and .649 slugging percentage in his MVP campaign in 2019. Roberts said Bellinger hasn’t been right mechanically all season, but is getting closer.
“I don’t think that he’s felt locked in. He’s seeing the ball considerably better,” Roberts said. “I think at times, he feels really good about where his swing is at, and at times he doesn’t. It’s a work in progress right now.”
Chris Taylor gets the start at shortstop on Wednesday, his fourth start at the position in five games since Seager’s been out. Taylor has reached base in his last six starts, dating back to August 3.
Game info
Time: 6:40 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA