In looking to withstand losing Mookie Betts to a right oblique strain, the Los Angeles Dodgers implemented a plan to primarily rely on Miguel Rojas at shortstop with Hyeseong Kim also receiving some opportunities.
Rojas replaced Betts in the bottom of the first inning this past Saturday and also started at shortstop in the series finale against the Washington Nationals. It then was Kim who drew the start Monday night before Rojas was back in the Dodgers lineup for the second game of the Toronto Blue Jays series.
However, just over 20 minutes before first pitch on Tuesday, Rojas was scratched from the Dodgers lineup and replaced by Kim. The Dodgers announced the change was due to a family matter.
Miguel Rojas out of lineup
Rojas was poised to bat eighth on Tuesday, which was coming one day after he pitched the ninth inning for the Dodgers in their blowout win at Rogers Centre.
It was an ironic development considering Rojas’ lasting memory in Toronto is hitting the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series.
Although the Dodgers and Betts are hopeful for a quick return from his oblique injury, that’s not a guarantee. Rojas being needed to make the brunt of starts at shortstop is similar to what unfolded in 2023 and 2024.
During Spring Training in 2023, Gavin Lux suffered a torn ACL in his right knee that required season-ending surgery. While Rojas embraced the unexpected change to become the Dodgers’ starting shortstop, it resulted in passing on an opportunity to play for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic that year.
Then in June 2024, Rojas was pressed into shortstop duty once again because Betts sustained a left hand fracture as a result of being hit by a pitch. The Dodgers went on to acquire Tommy Edman at the trade deadline, and Betts finished the year playing right field.
Rojas is in the final season of his career and has plans to join the Dodgers front office upon retiring. He also holds future aspirations of becoming a manager at some point. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently named Rojas and Kiké Hernández as players who he could see leading a team at one point.
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