The Dodgers announced that they have placed infielder Miguel Rojas on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain. Fellow infielder Yonny Hernández has been recalled to take his place on the active roster.
Rojas, 34, was removed from last night’s game, with manager Dave Roberts speaking about the issue afterwards. He told reporters, including Juan Toribio of MLB.com, that Rojas had a hamstring issue and had been dealing with lower body stuff all season. It wasn’t clear how serious the injury was, but now Rojas will be out of action for over a week at least.
Acquired in an offseason trade with the Marlins, Rojas is known generally as a glove-first option at shortstop. He has a career batting line of .259/.312/.356, leading to a wRC+ of 84. He’s been well south of that so far this year, currently sporting a line of .125/.200/.156, possibly due to his lingering injuries.
Nonetheless, it’s a frustrating development for a Dodgers club that is dealing with various issues in its shortstop depth. Rojas was only supposed to be a part-time player, with Gavin Lux the planned everyday shortstop to take over for the departing Trea Turner. But Lux suffered a devastating injury in spring, tearing his ACL and damaging the LCL in his right knee, which will cost him the entire 2023 season. That bumped Rojas into everyday duty, though he’s now going to be out of action for a while himself. Super utility guy Chris Taylor has been seeing some time at short, but he’s also banged up, fighting some side soreness this week. Luke Williams was selected yesterday to give the club some cover and he’s in the starting lineup today, with Hernández now recalled to be the backup. He has just six games of major league experience at the position but much more in the minors.
All this is seemingly leading towards the surprising development of Mookie Betts getting some time at shortstop. He’s currently on the paternity list but Roberts told reporters, including Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, that he would have gotten the start today if he were with the club. When he rejoins them, he could get a crack at the job, at least until Taylor or Rojas is healthy. Betts hasn’t played shortstop since his early prospect days, the most recent stint being in the Arizona Fall League way back in 2013. He was primarily a second baseman in the minors before the Red Sox moved him to right field in deference to Dustin Pedroia. He’s still spent some time at the keystone on occasion, including 35 innings this year, but playing shortstop at a high level would be a new thing for him.
Maybe MLB should just publish a list of who’s not injured. It might be shorter.
Point taken, insurance reps must all be in the bars thinking “This is another fine mess we got ourselves into”
MLB needs to revisit their training ideology
What teams are calling LAD to sell an SS? Who does LAD want most?
Betts to SS. He’s a better SS than outfielder.
Why hasn’t he played SS before then? Sounds a little too hopey for a contender like LAD, no? Maybe even a little desperate?
The Guardians
Yeah, they’ve got a few.
You got that right! Even with Rosario out a few days, CLE still has about 4 or 5 below him on the depth chart. Guardians have a vending machine in the clubhouse that dispenses middle infielders for about $20 a pop.
I think Friedman is looking for a bandaid. IKF for David Peralta? Dodgers get a SS and Yankees get a lefty OF, both on expiring contracts around $6 million.
There’s not much available in top quality SS from teams who look like potential sellers. I don’t see CWS trading Tim Anderson, so they might be stuck playing Mookie at SS for a few games and patching it together with waived claims and AAAA players like Luke Williams and Yonny
What about Mateo? SSS, but some significant underlying changes in his approach. And the defensive and speed floor. 3 WAR last year even with a bad OBP/OPS.
Good call Dusty
Sadly these types of trades just dont6 happen that much, both teams could def benefit from yours tho
There might be a chance to get Anderson. The Dodgers just have to be sure they’ve got enough room on the 60 day IL first.
By mid season it’ll be Tim Anderson
White Sox, PLEASE!
DeJong for whatever. He’s hitting at AAA and he never lost that gold glove defense.
Good call, they’d need to take back some dead salary tho as well (Trienan ) as LA doesn’t want to go into the next tax bracket and will want wiggle room for late June ….I like it tho, could net STL a top 25 Dodger prospect (towards that back end obv)
The Cardinals would have to eat some of that salary. Who knows, a change of venue might be exactly what DeJong needs.
Javy Baez is heating up 😉 Tigers can afford to eat all his salary for a decent prospect.
Hello Nueman….
The Reds have like 3,000 triple A SS’s who need to be getting experience.. Although unspectacular; Kevin Nueman is a very solid veteran SS whose just a place holder for the Reds at this point…
These teams have worked together a bunch in the past and may matchup well working out a deal with all the Dodgers injuries…
Damn that “lower body stuff”…
Legs need to be stretched out. Then some more.
Jose Iglesias?
Billy from 4C?
Didi
And the depth evaporates like a muddy puddle on a summer day.
Roberts is going to flip a coin to see who plays at SS tomorrow.
Kershaw was taking grounders in the bullpen today, so he can fill in until his next start.
The ultimate team player. Anything for the team.
Oh I pulled a hammy! Need the DL!
Lollygaggers!
Ouch. The 3rd string guy just went down.
Please jump on DeJong. We could use Treinen. Get it done
Good he can’t hit. This team is bad.
Padres have five shortstops if you need to borrow one for a while.
Kim in exchange for Will Smith
Not good for the dodgers. They’re already currently a losing, under .500 team.