UPDATE (April 7, 3 p.m. PT): Miguel Vargas was in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Friday, returning after missing the past two games due to soreness and inflammation in his right thumb.
The Los Angeles Dodgers received a scare when Miguel Vargas was hit by a pitch in his right thumb during the seventh inning on Monday night during their 13-4 victory against the Colorado Rockies.
Vargas was “adamant” about staying in the game, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and he received one more at-bat, but wasn’t tested in the field.
Vargas took grounders at second base prior to the finale against the Rockies but didn’t appear in the game. Roberts said there was still some soreness in the thumb which affected throwing, but Vargas was available off the bench to pinch-hit.
With the off day on Wednesday, the 23-year-old received more time for rest, and he remained out of the Dodgers lineup for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
Prior to the matchup against the D-Backs, Roberts said on SportsNet LA Vargas is doing much better and the hope is he will return to the lineup on Friday:
“I think the swelling, the pain, has dissipated. He went through a full day as far as throwing and going to swing the bat in batting practice. I’m hopeful that he’ll be in there tomorrow. I just thought the cost of one extra day wasn’t too costly.”
According to Roberts, Vargas did not receive any X-rays on his thumb and his return to the lineup would be based on pain tolerance.
Vargas has had a hot start to the season, leading Major League Baseball with nine walks and a .722 on-base percentage. Without him in the lineup, Mookie Betts has been playing second base while Jason Heyward has filled in as the right fielder.
Miguel Rojas possibly returning to Dodgers lineup
Roberts is also hopeful that Miguel Rojas, who has missed three consecutive games due to groin tightness that stemmed from an attempt at an unassisted double play, will be able to return on Friday as well.
However, the Dodgers will be cautious with Rojas in hopes of avoiding a setback with his left groin tightness.
Chris Taylor has filled in at shortstop with Rojas out.
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