Dodgers Face Trio of Injuries

October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) reaches third in the first inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) reaches third in the first inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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While things were relatively quiet in Arizona for a few days, the Dodgers had three noteworthy injury-related updates today.

The Dodgers have had terrible injury luck for the last couple years, and while they have much more depth coming into 2016, that depth is being tested early on. It started with the news that Hyun-jin Ryu would probably not be ready to go until May. Then, Brett Anderson underwent a back procedure and will miss 3-5 months.

Alex Wood figured to be a lock for the rotation, but was scratched from his Spring Training start today with “elbow tightness”. Elbow tightness is usually a precursor to Tommy John surgery, which would have been the second for Wood, but it appears he dodged a bullet with his arm. He was scratched as a precaution, and this is generally a good sign.

No use in pushing a guy if he’s not feeling 100 percent in March. Would much rather Wood skip a start in Spring Training than in a regular season game.

Things were calm for a bit, until it was announced that Corey Seager would not play in either of the split-squad games today. He was removed from yesterday’s game as a precaution with a bum knee, and underwent an MRI. While everyone was fearing the worst, his MRI came back relatively clean.

Knee injuries can be so devastating, so 1-2 weeks should be considered a win. I would be thrilled with this diagnosis if I wasn’t going to be at spring training for the next week, so it’s selfishly terrible news. As long as he’s good to go when the calendar turns and the Dodgers open the season in San Diego, everything is fine.

Seager is probably the last player the Dodgers could afford to lose, as they don’t really have a backup shortstop. Enrique Hernandez would probably be the likely candidate unless Charlie Culberson continues to dominate Spring Training. Much like with Wood, it’s better to lose a player in a few exhibition games than to lose them in the regular season.

Next: Yimi Garcia Season Preview

The final piece of injury news involves Alex Guerrero, who hasn’t played since March 4th with a bum knee. Guerrero was set to return in one of the split-squad games tonight, but was scratched from the lineup. He was set to DH in the original lineup, but Shawn Zarraga will take his place.