The Diamondbacks have placed infielder Josh Rojas on the 10-day injured list with a left finger dislocation, retroactive to July 22nd, the team announced. In his place, Asdrubal Cabrera has been reinstated from the injured list.
Cabrera comes off the IL just in time for an important showcase ahead of the trade deadline. The veteran infielder offers cheap, reliable production as a switch-hitter capable of playing anywhere in the infield except shortstop, which he hasn’t handled in quite some time.
Still, Cabrera remains a tough out. With an 11.7 percent walk rate, Cabrera has posted a triple slash of .240/.332/.385 in 223 plate appearances. He won’t be a flashy get, but he’s been worth 1.0 fWAR thus far, and he helped the Nationals win the 2019 World Series with a monster second half, often serving as protection in the lineup for Juan Soto. That’s hardly the expectation for the 35-year-old Cabrera, but it does speak to his utility for a contender.
Rojas, 27, has seen more playing time this season than ever before in his young career. The versatile defender has hit .268/.356/.438 with 10 home runs in 366 plate appearances. He’s done so while covering second, short, left and right field.
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Its a definitely premature, but the D-backs may have hit on Rojas, Smith and Varsho. Added to Gallen, Marte and Carson Kelly and they could play .500 ball in the 2nd half.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.