It was only a matter of time until the Dodgers promoted top prospect Corey Seager, but FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal sheds some light on why Los Angeles chose to call up Seager on Thursday.
Rosenthal reports that fellow prospect Jose Peraza's hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline him at least three games, was the primary reason the Dodgers called up Seager.
Reasons for #Dodgers’ promotion of Seager, per source: Peraza sore hamstring, out at least 3 to 5 games. W/Kiké out, no backup SS on roster.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 3, 2015
Although the Dodgers have an infield stacked with All-Stars Adrian Gonzalez, Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick, a new addition Chase Utley, they don't have a natural backup at shortstop or third base, as utility man Kiké Hernandez is currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.
Enter Seager, who is primarily a shortstop but has played third, as well.
While it's still unclear what role the 21-year-old top prospect will have on the Dodgers as they try to secure a franchise-record third-consecutive postseason berth, he could offer a boost on offense in addition to providing Los Angeles with a backup on the left side of its infield.
In 125 games in the minors this season, Seager hit .293/.344/.487 with 18 home runs and 76 RBI.
The Dodgers immediately inserted their 2012 first-round draft pick into the lineup on Thursday, batting him eighth and penciling him in at shortstop in their series opener against the San Diego Padres.
Corey Seager is starting at shortstop pic.twitter.com/CjmUTCt4kF
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) September 3, 2015
Manager Don Mattingly told reporters before Thursday's game that although Seager is playing shortstop in his major-league debut, he plans to play Seager more at third base than shortstop for the rest of the season.
