Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas (hernia) is making his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Chicago Cubs and is starting at third base and batting sixth in the lineup. Rojas was a bit behind the other position players at the start of camp after undergoing sports-hernia surgery in the offseason, but he's back in action now and should be good to go for the two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19 against the Cubs, barring a setback. The 35-year-old Venezuelan infielder had one of his best offensive seasons in 2024 for the Blue, slashing .283/.337/.410 with six home runs, 36 RBI, eight stolen bases and 41 runs scored in 103 games played. However, Rojas remains a glove-first player and will once again have very limited fantasy appeal as a reserve infielder for the most stacked team in baseball.
Miguel Rojas Participates In Live Batting Practice
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (abdomen) took part in live batting practice on Wednesday. Rojas faced right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki. The 35-year-old also participated in defensive drills during Wednesday's session. Rojas underwent sports hernia surgery during the offseason but is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Seeing him participate in live hitting drills and fielding work early in spring training is a positive sign that he will be ready for the start of the regular season. Earlier in the offseason, the Dodgers brought back the infielder on a one-year $5 million contract. Last season, Rojas held a .283/.337/.410 line with 21 doubles, six home runs, and eight stolen bases. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Rojas to operate as a depth piece in the infield.
According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas (abdomen) is expected to be ready for Opening Day. The 35-year-old suffered an infection due to the sports hernia surgery he underwent in the offseason. While this setback delayed his offseason program, fantasy managers should expect the veteran to be ready for Opening Day. Last season, Rojas held a .283/.337/.410 slash line with six home runs and eight stolen bases. He was an elite defender, posting a strong 12 outs above average (OAA). He also showed an excellent eye at the plate with a 13.9 percent whiff rate and a 10.1 percent strikeout rate, which were both among the highest marks. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Rojas to operate as a depth piece in the Dodger infield and should only be targeted in deeper NL-only formats.
The Los Angeles Dodgers exercised shortstop Miguel Rojas' $5 million club option for the 2025 season on Saturday. Although Rojas finished the team's World Series championship season battling a groin injury, the 2024 campaign was a very successful one for the 35-year-old veteran Venezuelan infielder. Known mostly for his glove at the 6, Rojas impressed in 103 regular-season games in his second year in Hollywood with a .283/.337/.410 slash line, six home runs, 36 RBI, eight stolen bases and 41 runs scored. He will need surgery on his torn groin this offseason, but he should be recovered in time to be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, where he'll once again serve as a solid defender for the Blue at shortstop. Fantasy managers in NL-only leagues shouldn't expect Rojas to swing the bat as well as he did in 2024, though.
Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol, Miguel Rojas Return To Dodgers Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitchers Alex Vesia (ribs) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder), and infielder Miguel Rojas (hernia) are all on the team's roster for the World Series. Vesia hurt his rib cage in the NLDS and was left off the roster for the NLCS, but is ready to rock and will likely be used in high-leverage situations against lefties Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm. Graterol (shoulder) hasn't pitched since landing on the IL in late September with right-shoulder inflammation, but has been working his way back and should be used in a high-leverage role after a dominant regular season. Rojas has already said he will need offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia, but will play through the injury and try to provide the Dodgers with stellar defense when he plays. Kevin Kiermaier, Evan Phillips (arm fatigue), and Edgardo Henriquez were removed from the World Series roster to make room for the trio.
Miguel Rojas Has Good Chance To Make World Series Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that shortstop Miguel Rojas (groin) is trending in the right direction and there's a good chance that he'll be included on the roster for the World Series before Game 1 on Friday at Dodger Stadium against the New York Yankees. Rojas, who suffered a torn adductor muscle in his groin in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, did not play in the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets but has put himself in the best position to be ready for the World Series. With the 35-year-old veteran defensive stalwart likely to be on the roster, veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier will likely be the odd man out. Rojas will need offseason surgery on his groin and may just be used as an option off the bench in the World Series after starting regularly at the 6 before his injury.
Miguel Rojas Has Sports Hernia, Needs Offseason Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (hernia) said he is dealing with a sports hernia and will require surgery in the offseason. Rojas lobbied to be on the team's roster for the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, but he understood the team's decision not to include him. His injury "is about the same" and he remains hopeful of being available to play if the Dodgers advance to the World Series. Our guess is Rojas will remain off the roster if the Dodgers advance. Since aggravating his injury in the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Tommy Edman has moved to the 6, which has opened up playing time for Enrique Hernandez and rookie Andy Pages. The 35-year-old Rojas is known more for his glove work, but he hit a strong .283 in 307 regular-season at-bats with six homers, 36 RBI and eight steals.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he doesn't expect shortstop Miguel Rojas (groin) to be in the starting lineup for Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Friday against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Rojas aggravated a groin injury rounding third base in the Game 3 loss in San Diego and had to be removed from the game. If the Dodgers advance to the NL Championship Series, it's unknown if the 35-year-old veteran would even be on the roster. Since he got hurt, Tommy Edman has moved from center field to the 6, and he should be there again to start Friday's win-or-take-all contest. Rojas has never been known as much of an offensive threat and went 2-for-8 in three Division Series games against the Padres. The move to Edman at the premium position with Rojas injured is definitely a downgrade defensively for the Blue.
Freddie Freeman Starting, Miguel Rojas Out In Game 4
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) is starting at first base again and is hitting third in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday against the division-rival San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease at Petco Park. However, shortstop Miguel Rojas (groin) will not play. Tommy Edman will start at shortstop and bat eighth, with Enrique Hernandez starting in center field and batting ninth against Cease. Freeman has been battling an ankle injury since the final week of the regular season but has toughed it out and played in all three NLDS games, going 3-for-11 with two strikeouts and a stolen base. He's had plenty of success against Cease in his career in 11 at-bats, recording five hits (one double), two RBI and two K's. Hernandez has also had some success against Cease, going 5-for-12 with a homer, two doubles, two RBI and three K's.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (groin), who has been playing through a tear in his left groin muscle, left Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres after apparently aggravating it while stopping at third base. Rojas did something similar near the end of the regular season against the Padres and missed the final series of the regular season in Colorado before returning to the playoffs. The 35-year-old's status for the rest of the NLDS is now firmly in question. If he cannot go for Game 4 at Petco Park on Wednesday, the Dodgers would likely move Tommy Edman to the 6 and Andy Pages to center field, which is what they did on Tuesday when Rojas left the game. The glove-first veteran has gone 2-for-8 so far through three games of the NLDS. If he's removed from the NLDS roster and the Dodgers advance, he would not be eligible to play in the NLCS.
Miguel Rojas
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Dodgers
