Miguel Rojas has filled in for Gavin Lux as the starting Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop this season, but injury problems of his own have limited the veteran’s time on the field.
Dating back to Spring Training, Rojas has dealt with a right calf and foot cramp, left groin tightness, left hamstring cramp and a left hamstring strain that placed him on the 10-day injured list. Now, Rojas is dealing with neck tightness that forced him to be removed from Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the neck issue is something Rojas has been dealing with for multiple days, but it did not impact his performance until Wednesday. The plan is now to keep Rojas out for at least one day, and potentially longer depending on how he progresses, via SportsNet LA:
“He’s doing better. I think his neck issue is better. The hope is he’ll be in there [Friday], but that’s still no certainty. It’s been something that’s kind of been bothering him. But hopefully he’ll be in there [Friday].”
Rojas has struggled throughout the season thus far, batting just .216/.248/.256 with five doubles, 12 runs scored, six RBI and a 39 wRC+. However, he has played defense at an elite level, drawing praise from Roberts for his work at shortstop.
Rojas did pick up his offensive production recently, but he was still far below league-average with the bat.
In the meantime, Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor are the top two options to start at shortstop. Taylor started at shortstop in the series finale against the Reds.
That conceivably could be Betts moving forward when the Dodgers are facing a right-hander, as it then opens the door for David Peralta and Jason Heyward to both start in the outfield. Against left-handers, Taylor would likely start at shortstop while Jonny DeLuca and Betts take over in the corner outfield positions.
Dodgers options if Miguel Rojas goes on injured list
If Rojas does not heal in a timely matter, the Dodgers could opt to place him on the IL, which would make room for them to call up Michael Busch or Yonny Hernández. The newly signed Kole Calhoun could also be an option, which would involve placing Andy Pages on the 60-day IL as he recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
Luke Williams, who spent some time with the club this year, was recently designated for assignment and claimed by the Atlanta Braves.
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