Miguel Rojas played five innings at shortstop for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday night in the start of a rehab assignment that may only last two games before his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup.
Rojas is logging additional at-bats with the Quakes as a designated hitter on Sunday, and he would then be activated off the 10-day injured list in the next day or two.
“The hope is that he’ll be back with us on Monday,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
When the Dodgers traded for Rojas, it was with an intention of having him fill a utility role off the bench. Those plans changed when Gavin Lux suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training, thrusting Rojas into a starting role.
It was a situation the veteran said he trained for during the offseason, and Rojas withdrew from playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in order to continue preparing and develop a rapport with Miguel Vargas.
But now the Dodgers no longer appear to view Rojas as an everyday shortstop.
“I think a couple times a week is fair,” answered Roberts when asked how often Rojas could be expected to start at shortstop upon being activated.
“I don’t feel comfortable running him out there every day anyway. And so whether it’s C.T. or Mookie taking that down, I feel good. I think once once he gets back and I look at matchups, and what gives the best chance to win that day, I can give you a better answer. I don’t know that answer right now.
“There’s a lot of soft tissue (injuries), and we’ve got to find a way to keep him healthy.”
During Rojas’ absence, the Dodgers have relied on Luke Williams, Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts at shortstop. Williams has since been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, leaving Betts and Taylor to man the position. Betts is willing to do so on a regular basis, but it’s unclear if the Dodgers want to make such a commitment.
Miguel Rojas injuries
Dating back to Spring Training, Rojas has dealt with a right calf and foot cramp, left groin tightness, left hamstring cramp and left hamstring strain.
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