Notes: Betts out of lineup; Seager back

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager returned to the lineup Monday night against the Padres as designated hitter, but right fielder Mookie Betts still had “substantial swelling” in his left middle finger and was out of the lineup.

Betts left Sunday’s game early after taking an awkward swing in an at-bat that ended with a home run into the pool at Chase Field. He played two more innings of defense before leaving for a pinch-hitter with swelling in the finger. X-rays were negative and manager Dave Roberts said Betts is still day to day, although unlikely to appear Monday night.

"Playing defense wasn't bad, [but] I don't know if I can hold a bat," Betts told AM 570. "We're so deep on our team, I'd rather not play at 50 or 60 percent, I'd rather let some guys play at 100 percent."

Roberts said the injury was unrelated to wrist discomfort Betts briefly experienced during Summer Camp swinging at a similar high pitch. Roberts said Betts was receiving treatment to address the swelling.

With Betts out of the lineup, Joc Pederson led off and started in right field and AJ Pollock started in left field.

Seager, one of the league’s hottest hitters so far, did not play Sunday after leaving Saturday night’s game early with left quad tightness. Chris Taylor started again at shortstop Monday night against the Padres. Roberts said Seager might return on defense Tuesday night.

• Left-handed reliever Scott Alexander confirmed that he had contracted COVID-19 just before Summer Camp opened, explaining his late arrival. A Type 1 diabetic, Alexander said after consulting with his doctors he never considered opting out of playing this year.

Alexander said his COVID-19 symptoms were “a pretty good fever,” chills and a headache and they lasted only 24 hours. He said more frustrating were the three weeks he spent in quarantine and clearing testing protocols before being allowed to return.

Alexander is one of four lefties the Dodgers are carrying and he’s coming off surgery on a nerve in his pitching hand that short-circuited his 2019 season and had him wondering if he’d “ever pitch again.” He hasn’t allowed an earned run in his three appearances this year.

• Alex Wood, on the injured list with left shoulder irritation, has responded to treatment and exercises and is expected to resume throwing Monday or Tuesday.

“He said it’s the best his arm’s felt in weeks, so that’s encouraging,” said Roberts. “Now it’s getting him in a throwing progression and see where that leads. There’s no timeline right now.”

• Roberts said the rotation would remain the same for another turn, with a day off Thursday providing extra rest.