When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Miguel Rojas, their plan was to have the veteran infielder fill a utility role. However, Gavin Lux suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training thrust Rojas into becoming the everyday shortstop.
That’s not been a smooth transition for the 34-year-old, who is on the 10-day injured list because of a left hamstring strain. Rojas’ injuries date back to Spring Training, when he had a right calf and foot cramp. During the regular season he’s battled left groin tightness and a hamstring cramp prior to the strain.
While Rojas is eligible to be activated this weekend, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he first will need to complete a rehab assignment, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Our thought right now is for him to go out on a couple day rehab assignment, take some at-bats and hopefully, potentially be ready to go on Monday,” Roberts said.
Rojas was not exactly having a stellar season before being placed on the IL, hitting .125/.200/.156 with one double and a -0.2 WAR.
Chris Taylor was first in line to replace Rojas, but he missed time because of a minor left oblique injury — opening the opportunity for Mookie Betts to play shortstop at the Major League level for the first time in his career.
If Rojas successfully completes a rehab assignment over the next few days, it would put him on track to return during the home series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Miguel Rojas ‘doing much better’
Prior to Rojas going on the IL, Roberts expressed confidence he had fully recovered from leg injuries.
While there was a setback, Rojas made progress during the Dodgers’ road trip as he steadily increased his level of activity.
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