The Los Angeles Dodgers fortified their infield depth earlier this month by completing a trade for Miguel Rojas, who remains on the mend from separate operations on his right wrist and hand.
Rojas played through an injured right wrist during the second half of the 2022 season, and underwent a debridement last October. More recently, the 33-year-old had surgery to remove a bone growth from his right thumb.
Rojas anticipates making a full recovery by Spring Training, if not Opening Day of the 2023 season, but also on his mind is the World Baseball Classic.
During an appearance on “The Chris Rose Rotation,” Rojas explained getting the second operation done was key for all those reasons:
“For me, it was necessary to take care of this right now so I can be 100% and fully healthy for the WBC, Spring Training and to play for the Dodgers the whole year.”
Rojas added that getting a chance to potentially play for Team Venezuela in the 2023 WBC would he humbling:
“It’s pretty important, man. I feel proud where I come from. All the people that knows me know I’m extremely happy for an opportunity to at least be part of the mix. I don’t know what the team is going to look like just yet. Obviously we’re waiting to see if my wrist is going to be 100% ready for mid-February, when they need to actually decide what players are going to be on the team. I don’t take this opportunity and that chance to represent my country lightly. I want to represent my country. I feel a lot of pride where I come from and the people that support me.”
Rojas is roughly one week away from being able to start swinging a bat for the first time this offseason. Players participating in the WBC are due to report to Spring Training camps by Thursday, February 16.
The Dodgers have their first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 21.
Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Will Smith are due to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Team USA, Julio Urías is part of Team Mexico, and Freddie Freeman is competing on the Team Canada roster. Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel is part of the United States coaching staff.
Miguel Rojas on preliminary Venezuelan National Team roster for WBC
Along with Rojas, the preliminary Team Venezuela roster includes José Altuve, Luis Arráez, Andrés Giménez, Anthony Santander, Miguel Cabrera, Eugenio Suárez, Salvador Perez, Avisaíl García, Martín Pérez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo, Germán Márquez, José Alvarado and Luis Garcia.
Ronald Acuña Jr. withdrew from consideration for the Venezuelan National Team roster.
Venezuela placed third in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, which was their best finish in the history of the event.
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