Dodgers minding workload for Miguel Rojas at shortstop

06/29/2024 08:00 PM

SAN FRANCISCO – The Dodgers would like to have Miguel Rojas in their starting lineup every day during Mookie Betts' absence – and maybe beyond.

But they don't think they can have that.

"He’s obviously having a heck of a year. Offensively, defensively," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I love the edge, the energy he brings every night. The thing that I think I have to be mindful of is managing his playing time – because he’s just such a value to our ballclub.

"He will argue, like most players will argue, that he can play every single day. And that’s his mindset. It should be that way. But he’s still an older player who’s had some soft tissue things. So I will find time to give him days off because I think it’s best for him and for us long term."

Rojas started 10 of the first 11 games since Betts suffered a fractured hand. Off days on the schedule have allowed Roberts to play him that frequently "but we are going to be in a stretch where I can see a 3-on, 1-off situation" up to the All-Star break.

At 35, Rojas is the oldest regular starter at shortstop in the major leagues this season. And he understands why the Dodgers think they have to be mindful of his workload.

"I feel like the track record is telling them you'd better be careful because I've been injured with so many little issues with my legs," Rojas said. "But I feel like if they don't get the same Miguel Rojas that I am when I'm healthy and I can run the bases and I can play good defense and all that, I feel like that's something they have to pay attention to."

Rojas recognizes it's something he has to pay attention to as well. He has made some adjustments to try and avoid the nagging leg issues that seem to crop up every season. He changed shoes which has helped his Achilles tendons and, he believes, alleviated some of his hamstring issues. He does yoga and pilates to improve his flexibility and BFR (Blood Flow Restriction), a training modality that is believed to aid recovery.

"I've played shortstop my whole life. But I've never played it at 35 years old before," Rojas said.

"I was talking about this yesterday. I grew up in an era where if you went in the training room it was because you have something wrong. The game has evolved now where trainers are inviting you to come to the training room every single day as a precautionary thing. You don't have to wait until something is bothering you to get treatment. So I'm doing that a little more now. I'm getting to the ballpark early."

Whatever Rojas is doing, it is working. His defense has been elite and he took a .287 average with a .778 OPS into Saturday's game. Both would be his highest since the 2020 season.

"When you get Miguel Rojas you get a player who plays all out every day. I empty the tank every night," he said. "I'm not thinking about, 'Oh, let me save my legs for October.' I always play 100 percent. I always play hard. And sometimes when you play like that, things are going to happen. The only thing I can do to make them feel comfortable is that I'm going to do whatever I can do to stay healthy."

VARGAS ROLE

Miguel Vargas was promoted from Triple-A almost six weeks ago. But he has started just 11 times and been to the plate 37. It's a limited role in sharp contrast to the every-day job he had at second base to start the 2023 season. And it's not likely to change any time soon even though he has hit well (11 for 32 with a home run and four doubles).

"I don't think he's okay with it and I don't expect it," Roberts said. "But I think he understands what's around him. It certainly beats Triple-A. And the good thing about him is he's not letting his lack of opportunity affect his mindset. I think that's the thing that is part of the maturation process."

Vargas' limited playing time is a consequence of the veteran right-handed hitters on the Dodgers' bench (Kike' Hernandez and Chris Taylor), not a reflection of the Dodgers' assessment of his ability, Roberts said.

"It's a situation with the roster where we're at that Vargas is only playing against left. But he's a guy that's built to play every day," Roberts said. "I trust him versus right-handed pitching. It's just with who we have, giving other guys the opportunity to play versus right-handed pitching.

"He's got a lot of confidence. He's watching the game. He's prepared. His swing is in a considerably better place (than 2023). He's taking more aggressive swings. He's really cleaned a lot of things up. Really excited to see what he's done. You look back a year ago and he's a completely different player and person than he was last year."

UP NEXT

Dodgers (LHP James Paxton, 7-1, 3.39 ERA) at Giants (TBA), Sunday, 1:05 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM