Miguel Rojas took ground balls and batting practice Friday, still battling back and hip pain from Game 3 of the NLDS, as the Dodgers desperately hope he’ll be good to go for the NLCS opener on Sunday in Milwaukee.
The Injury and the Hope
Rojas, their veteran infielder, had to bail mid-at-bat in the eighth inning of Game 3 against the Braves on Tuesday. He felt something wrong on a foul swing. That’s rough, right? He was so sore on Wednesday, he couldn’t even suit up for Game 4. Now, manager Dave Roberts is saying Friday’s workout at Dodger Stadium was “encouraging” after Rojas got some imaging done. Turns out, it’s “stuff that he’s had prior history.” That’s a bit worrying, no? Roberts admitted nothing’s “definitive” yet, especially with a flight ahead and another workout Saturday, but he called it “a step in the right direction.” The team has until Sunday morning to make the call for the NLCS roster.
Why He Matters (A Lot)
So why is this 37-year-old infielder so crucial? This season, Rojas was their secret weapon against lefties, absolutely raking with a .293 average, .340 on-base, and .469 slugging, giving him a 121 wRC+. He even started twice in the NLDS, both times facing southpaws like Ray Kerr in Game 2 and Chris Sale in Game 3. Beyond that, the dude’s a pinch-hit legend, leading the team with 40 plate appearances in that role. That’s 15 more than anyone else! His presence on the bench, especially in those late-game spots, is huge. Now, here’s the kicker: Roberts confirmed the Dodgers are eyeing a 13-pitcher staff for the best-of-7 NLCS, up from 12 in the Division Series. That means an even shorter bench, making every reserve spot even more valuable. In the NLDS, their bench was Rojas, Kiké Hernández (who also started twice), backup catcher Hunter Feduccia (didn’t play), rookie Josue De Paula (two pinch-hit appearances), and speedster Hyeseong Kim (pinch-runner in Game 5, played final inning at second). Taking Rojas out of that mix? That’s a big hole.
The Big Gamble
This isn’t just about the NLCS either. There’s a massive risk involved if they rush Rojas back. Roberts said it plain: “We’ve just got to be certain that if he do have him on [the NLCS roster], he can stay healthy, so you don’t lose him for the potential World Series.” Think about that for a second. If Rojas makes the NLCS roster, then gets reinjured *during* the series, he’d be totally out for the World Series. That’s a huge gamble, potentially sacrificing him for the biggest stage. Roberts sounds encouraged by Rojas’s Friday progress, but he also knows they have “a couple other good options if it doesn’t happen.” What those options are if they ditch Rojas from the bench? The source says they could just roll with the rest of the NLDS bench crew. But losing that potent bat against lefties and that pinch-hit prowess? That’s a tough call for any team facing the intensity of the NLCS.
So, the Dodgers are flying to Milwaukee, Rojas is getting treatment, and the clock is ticking until Sunday morning. This isn’t just about one series, it’s about a potential World Series run, and a painful swing could haunt them for weeks. What’s the right move here? Push him and risk it all, or play it safe and weaken the bench? Wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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