The Los Angeles Dodgers are confident that Miguel Rojas is healthy following a rough start to the season, plagued by minor injuries.
Rojas missed several games due to left groin tightness that occurred during the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 2. Then in his third game back from that absence, Rojas was removed early because of a left hamstring cramp.
Unlike with his groin issue, the veteran shortstop didn’t miss any time because of the hamstring issue.
“That groin thing, I think he’s over,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday. “That other night, he had the hamstring cramp. He said his body responded well. Watching him take grounders, he’s moving well. So he’s fine.”
Before being pulled from the game on Wednesday, the Rojas attempted to stretch and drink some water in an effort to stay in the game after reaching first base on an infield single.
He was replaced by Chris Taylor after being checked on by Dodgers trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima and Roberts.
Rojas gave an early indication he would be fine moving forward as he explained at the end of the Dodgers’ road trip the cramp was caused by wrapping his left leg too tightly.
Rojas went 0-for-3 in the Dodgers’ loss to the Chicago Cubs in the series opener. He also was hitless in three at-bats on Saturday and did not appear in the series finale.
Dodgers infield depth behind Miguel Rojas
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 withdrew from the 2023 World Baseball Classic to prepare for the role change. However, he has only played in eight out of 14 possible games thus far, and is batting just .160/.222/.200 with one double over 27 plate appearances.
While Chris Taylor is capable of playing shortstop on a short-term basis, the Dodgers don’t have many options if Rojas were to miss an extended period of time.
Eddys 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 Yonny Hernández the favorite in the event Rojas is placed on the 15-day injured list.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
