The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied late to earn a 10-5 win over the San Francisco Giants in the rubber match of a three-game series at Oracle Park, but it came at a cost as Miguel Rojas was removed in the fourth inning due to a left hamstring cramp.
The veteran infielder stretched his left leg and signaled to the dugout asking for water after reaching on an infield single. He was then replaced by Chris Taylor after being checked on by Dodgers trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima and manager Dave Roberts.
Rojas was in the Dodgers lineup on Wednesday night for only the third time since April 2 because of left groin tightness. He previously dealt with a right calf and foot cramp during Spring Training, and said at the time he has a history of suffering such trouble.
Rojas provided an update on his condition after the game and revealed the wrap on his left leg was the cause of his hamstring tightening up, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times
The shortstop had his leg tightly wrapped after returning from a left groin injury, and said circulation to his leg was cut off as he ran to first base to beat out an infield single. Once the wrap was off, he said he felt fine.
That Rojas could have remained in the game if he had time to remove the wrap on his leg is encouraging. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have been cautious with his availability due to the lack of infield depth behind him.
Rojas was originally expected to fill a utility role this season, but those plans changed when Gavin Lux tore his ACL and LCL during Spring Training.
Rojas took over starting duties at shortstop and even withdrew from the 2023 World Baseball Classic to prepare for the season. However, he has only played in seven out of 13 possible games thus far, and is batting just .182/.250/.227 with one double over 24 plate appearances.
Dodgers infield depth behind Miguel Rojas
While Taylor is capable of playing shortstop on a short-term basis, the Dodgers don’t have many options for the position if Rojas were to miss an extended period of time.
Additional infielders on the Dodgers 40-man roster who currently are not up with the club are Michael Busch, Yonny Hernández, Eddys Leonard and Jorbit Vivas.
Leonard is capable of playing shortstop but he has yet to make his MLB debut or advance past Double-A Tulsa. That would presumably make Hernández the favorite in the event Rojas is placed on the 15-day injured list.
Luke Williams could be a candidate as well, but he is not yet on the 40-man roster.
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