Dodgers Announce NLCS Roster and a BIG Name is Left Off

The Dodgers announce their NLCS roster and I had some big changes to it.

Dave Roberts is leaving Corey Seager off the Dodgers NLCS roster due to a lingering back issue that has kept him out of practice since Thursday. Roberts replaced Seager’s roster spot with utility infielder, Charlie Culberson.

Seager not being on the roster is a big blow to the Dodgers lineup. He’s dealt with injuries to his throwing elbow and now his back, so this may be a product of the long MLB season taking a toll on the young shortstop.

Dave Roberts also made another move to the roster to bolster their bench. Pedro Baez was dropped from the NLCS roster for Joc Pederson. This move is directly correlated with Seager’s absence because this means Chris Taylor will now move to shortstop to replace Seager.

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Since Seager has missed practice the last few days, Taylor, Kike, Forsythe, and Culberson have been taking grounders at short. Dave Roberts is likely to play Joc in center and move Taylor to short when facing right-handed pitching.

On a positive note, the Dodgers are set to face Jose Quintana and possibly Jon Lester game 2, so that gives them two lefties to start the series. When going against lefties Kike will likely get the start in the outfield, and we’ll see a lineup identical to what we saw against Robbie Ray.

This is no doubt a big blow for the Dodgers, but it isn’t the end of the world. Corey Seager is still eligible to return to the Dodgers roster if they advance to the World Series. Dave Roberts could also add Seager to the roster if a player were to get injured in the NLCS. However, whatever player that is would be will not be eligible for the World Series roster.

There’s a bigger concern here for Seager’s future. We know about the throwing elbow issue that he’s had for the most of the second half, and now a back injury. I’d imagine it has to be something serious to leave him off the roster, but we can only speculate right now. Seager’s injury is a big detour for the Dodgers road to the World Series, but I’m more worried about his health for next season. Other Dodgers are going to need to step up in his absence.

Next: Position by Position Breakdown

NLCS Roster Review:

Dropped: Corey Seager and Pedro Baez

Added: Joc Pederson and Corey Culberson

The Dodgers now have 14 position players to 11 pitchers on their roster. First pitch of the NLCS is tonight at 5:08 pm. #ThisTeam