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Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas is the healthy, vocal surprise of spring training

March 29, 2023

ANAHEIM ― Maybe the writing was on the wall early in camp, from the time Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux underwent season-ending knee surgery and his replacement, veteran Miguel Rojas, committed to staying in spring training rather than departing to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

Since then, Rojas’ leadership emerged as the most pleasant surprise of spring training in the opinion of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The 34-year-old is regularly engaged with teammates on the field and in the clubhouse, a surprise social butterfly as well as an unlikely starting shortstop on a team with championship aspirations.

Rojas has eased fears about the loss of Lux (and validated his recent contract extension) with his performance at the plate. He entered the Dodgers’ final exhibition game with a .273 batting average and .810 on-base plus slugging percentage and added a two-run single to tie the score in the fifth inning on Tuesday. His home run Monday against Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson was his second of spring training – not too shabby considering Rojas hit just six homers in 140 games for the Miami Marlins in 2022.

Perhaps most impressively, Rojas entered Tuesday’s Freeway Series finale having struck out only twice in 44 at-bats, even as coaches are encouraging him to take a more aggressive two-strike approach. His home run Monday came on a 1-and-2 count.

“I used to be really protective,” Rojas said. “I describe it as playing defense with two strikes. Now I have a little more freedom being in this lineup. A lot of guys in this lineup are going to do damage. We’re going to score runs. I don’t have to be as protective as I used to be.”

Being healthy helps.

Rojas had separate minor surgical procedures on his right wrist and hand over the offseason. He reiterated that having a strong upper hand has made a big difference at the plate. Last year, his batting average fell to .236. Rojas said a fly ball that ordinarily would carry over the fence would be an out. His wrist would hurt after making contact.

Now?

“It’s a little stiff still and I can feel it when I dive – when I have to dive into a base and I use my hands to pop up,” he said. “With more time, playing, doing whatever I need to do to keep strengthening, I feel the range of motion is going to come back. Other than that, swinging has been fine.”

OUTFIELD PUZZLE SOLVED

The Dodgers will begin the season with five outfielders capable of playing the two positions (left field and center field) not occupied by All-Star Mookie Betts.

Tuesday, Roberts described in detail how he plans to use his two right-handed hitting outfielders (Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor) and the three lefties (David Peralta, Jason Heyward and James Outman).

“Trayce and CT are going to take the brunt of those at-bats (against left-handed pitchers), and then vs. right(-handed pitchers), I think it’s a combo of James, Peralta and (Heyward),” Roberts said. “James is going to get the lion’s share of those right-handed at-bats in center field.”

Outman was the standout offensive performer of the group in camp. The rookie entered Tuesday hitting .294 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 22 spring games. That somewhat eased the challenge Roberts faces in dividing playing time fairly.

“You’re trying to play both sides eventually and keep everyone more involved,” Roberts said. “But I think that if it works – which I believe it can and will work – it keeps everyone feeling like they’re contributing on a nightly basis.”

NEARLY FULL NELSON

Reliever Jimmy Nelson will start the season on the injured list despite pitching a 1-2-3 inning against the Angels – his first game action in nine days.

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Nelson walked seven batters and recorded just one out between his previous Cactus League outings, March 16 and 19. Tuesday, the right-hander needed only 12 pitches (seven strikes, five balls) to retire the side in the sixth inning.

“Trying to get back so quickly from this big process of the (elbow and flexor tendon) surgery and rehab and recovery, I think he wants it all right now,” Roberts said. “For me, it’s just slowing things down, which tonight I thought he did a good job of and didn’t let it spiral out.”

Nelson will remain with the team through at least Opening Day, Roberts said. There is no target date for Nelson, 33, to complete his rehab process.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers have an off-day on Wednesday before opening the season on Thursday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

Orange County Register

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Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas is the healthy, vocal surprise of spring training

OUTFIELD PUZZLE SOLVED

NEARLY FULL NELSON

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