Telepeer

Dodgers’ middle-infield Miguels are nursing minor injuries

April 5, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers’ all-Miguel middle infield is on temporary hiatus.

Shortstop Miguel Rojas and second baseman Miguel Vargas are nursing minor injuries that kept both out of the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies.

Rojas felt a twinge on the left side of his groin making a critical play at second base in the ninth inning Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was replaced by a pinch hitter, Jason Heyward, in the ninth inning and did not play Monday against the Rockies.

Tuesday afternoon, Rojas was back on the field to take batting practice. The 34-year-old veteran did not expect to be sidelined long-term.

“Nothing really to worry about,” Rojas said. “I feel like that play, when I stepped on second base in the ninth inning, I felt something in the groin right there. We just want to be smart about it. Knowing it’s an off-day (Wednesday) I can take an extra day off. I’m available off the bench if they need me. We’re thinking big-picture. We’re not thinking ‘if I need to play through it I will.’ I’m on the same page with Doc (manager Dave Roberts) and the organization, thinking about the big picture and the long run.”

Rojas succeeded in retiring the lead runner, Christian Walker, when he fielded a Corbin Carroll grounder and stepped on second base in the top of the ninth inning of a 1-1 game. But when Carroll beat Rojas’ relay throw to first base (which pulled Freddie Freeman off the bag), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. advanced to third base and the inning continued.

The next batter, Jake McCarthy, laid down a perfect drag bunt between first base and the pitcher’s mound to drive in Walker with the go-ahead run. The Dodgers lost, 2-1.

Even though he didn’t complete the double play – and was hurt while stepping on second base – Rojas said his plan gave the Dodgers the best chance of getting out of the inning.

“I thought the best combination was me trying to step on the bag and throw to first (base) because I got the momentum,” Rojas said. “Carroll is one of the fastest guys in the game. So if you see Vargas playing second base … he’s way off the bag. Even if I flip the ball to him it’s impossible for him to turn and flip the ball to first base. So I thought the best chance was for me to step on the bag and throw to first.”

Vargas was hit by a pitch on the inside of his right thumb while batting in the seventh inning Monday. The 92 mph fastball from Connor Seabold somehow eluded the protective guard Vargas wears on his top hand while batting.

Even though he stayed in the game, Vargas’ thumb was still “tender” Tuesday, Roberts said. The rookie second baseman did not take infield practice with his teammates before the game.

Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts started at shortstop and second base, respectively.

Los Angeles Dodgers |

Dodgers explode for 13 runs in victory over Rockies

Los Angeles Dodgers |

Dodgers’ Max Muncy is done taking chances with bouncing balls

Los Angeles Dodgers |

Dodgers’ bats go quiet in loss to Diamondbacks

Los Angeles Dodgers |

Dodgers’ Michael Grove ready for 2023 debut Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers |

Trayce Thompson drives in 8 runs with 3 homers in Dodgers’ win

“Hopefully with two days of rest we can get (Vargas) back in there on Thursday,” Roberts said. “Still pretty benign.”

Vargas suffered a hairline fracture of his right pinkie early in spring training and was prohibited from swinging a bat in games until March 9.

ALSO

Relief pitcher Daniel Hudson is making minimal progress as he attempts to return from the knee injury that ended his 2022 season. “The arm is in shape, (his knee) just hasn’t responded well,” Roberts said. “Getting better but I don’t know a timetable for Huddy. He’s disappointed. We want him back. I expect him back. Just don’t know when.” … Rosters for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, advanced-A Great Lakes, and Double-A Tulsa were announced. … Among the notable prospect assignments: pitcher Landon Knack, catcher Diego Cartaya, infielders Brandon Lewis, Kody Hoese, Eddys Leonard and Jorbit Vivas, and outfielders Jonny DeLuca, Yusniel Diaz and Andy Pages were assigned to Tulsa; catcher Dalton Rushing and pitcher Jake Pilarski were assigned to Great Lakes; and pitchers Maddux Bruns and Jared Karros were assigned to Rancho Cucamonga. … Pitcher Bobby Miller is at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch facility building up his pitch count.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers have a day off Wednesday.

Dodgers (RHP Dustin May, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) at Diamondbacks (RHP Merrill Kelly, 0-0, 0.00 ERA), Thursday, 7:10 p.m., SNLA, 570 AM

Orange County Register

News Details

Dodgers’ middle-infield Miguels are nursing minor injuries

Related Articles

ALSO

UP NEXT

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS