Dodgers Corey Seager keeps hold on shortstop as Jimmy Rollins stays out

Rookie Corey Seager will probably remain the Dodgers’ starting shortstop through the upcoming weekend, if not longer, as Manager Don Mattingly said veteran Jimmy Rollins is expected to be sidelined for several more days because of a sprained right index finger.

Rollins, who last started a game on Sept. 6, attempted to throw a baseball Wednesday, only to be forced to abandon the exercise prematurely.

“About 10, 12 [throws] into it, he was feeling it, so we had to back off and stop that,” Mattingly said. “That didn’t go as well as we’d like.”

Asked if it were reasonable to expect the 36-year-old Rollins to be shut down for several more days, Mattingly replied, “I would think.”

With Rollins still sidelined, Seager started at shortsop Wednesday for the ninth consecutive game.

After initially saying Rollins would reclaim his role as the starter when he returns, Mattingly sounded noncommittal when addressing the subject earlier this week.

While Rollins might not be available to play defense in the coming days, he is expected to be able to pinch-run, as he did three times in the last week. Mattingly said Rollins might even be available to pinch-hit, as he was able to take batting practice Tuesday without any discomfort.

Major turnaround

The Dodgers might have found a setup man to complement closer Kenley Jansen in the unlikeliest of places.

Chris Hatcher, who had a 6.38 earned-run average when he landed on the disabled list in mid-June, has turned into a dependable late-inning option for Mattingly.

Entering Wednesday, Hatcher had a 1.26 earned-run average in 14 games since his return from the disabled list on Aug. 14.

“I guess confidence changes the pitches you throw, maybe,” Hatcher said. “If you’re confident throwing a slider up there on a 2-0 count, that’s obviously going to change the way you pitch.”

It also changes how Mattingly manages.

Hatcher’s last five appearances heading into Wednesday were in the eighth inning or later. When Jansen was unavailable to pitch in a game last week, Mattingly designated Hatcher his closer.

After playing on Miami Marlins teams with losing records in each of the last five seasons, Hatcher welcomes the pressure of pitching in a pennant race.

“I’ve never been on a winning team in the big leagues,” he said. “That’s not a knock on the teams I’ve been on, it’s the truth. There’s an air about it. It’s a little more upbeat.”

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

Twitter: @dylanohernandez