The Los Angeles Dodgers are without Mookie Betts for the foreseeable future after he suffered a fractured left hand, but the Dodgers have thus far been able to manage without him.
L.A. did not make any major changes after his injury, choosing Shohei Ohtani to bat leadoff in his place and going with Miguel Rojas as the every day starting shortstop in the meantime.
This type of situation is exactly why the Dodgers acquired Rojas prior to the 2023 season. They needed someone who could provide reliable defense at one of the game’s most difficult positions whenever he is called upon, and the ability for him to become the every day shortstop with little warning is invaluable.
Of course, this could mean an adjustment period for Rojas, who went from a bench role player to an every day starter very quickly. But this is what Rojas goes into every season preparing for the possibility of, according to Dennis Georgatos of the Southern California News Group:
“To be honest with you, this is what I prepare every offseason for, which is playing every day,” Rojas said. “I feel like I’m a natural shortstop. So, there’s not much of an adjustment that I have to make right now. I just have to take care of my body a little better because the workload is going to be a little higher.”
Rojas has filled in admirably thus far, and he has pushed himself into contention to start even when Betts returns. The veteran is not expected to give the Dodgers what Betts did, but he is giving L.A. exactly what they need, and that could eventually push Gavin Lux out of a job.
And until Betts is able to return — or the Dodgers land another shortstop via the trade market — they appear comfortable with Rojas taking a bulk of the innings and at-bats from the shortstop position.
Miguel Rojas affected by Betts injury
Even though it meant more playing time for him, Rojas was still far from happy to see his teammate go down with a major injury. In fact, because of the player and the person that Betts it, Rojas admitted he was greatly affected by the entire situation.
For now, he can channel that into continuing his strong play at shortstop and at the plate as he tried to make up for the huge loss that is Betts. The Dodgers will take every bit of production they can get to stay afloat.
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