Rojas out of Game 4 lineup, Freeman scratched
09/10/2024 23:42
Rojas has been dealing with a torn adductor. Tommy Edman moves to shortstop, while Kiké starts in centerfield. Freddie Freeman (sprained ankle) was originally in the lineup, but was later scratched
Miguel Rojas is out of the Dodgers lineup for Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Padres, one night after the shortstop had to leave in the third inning of Game 3 with more troubles with his torn adductor muscle. Freddie Freeman was originally in the Game 4 lineup, but was later scratched.
The key play for Rojas on Tuesday was a grounder in the fateful second inning, when the Dodgers desperately needed one out — which could have been accomplished with a flip to Gavin Lux at second base — but Rojas tried for two outs by himself and instead got none.
He left the game after running to third base on a single in the third inning.
"Given that it's an elimination game, I'm sure he's going to want to be in there," manager Dave Roberts said of Rojas after Game 3. "But we've got to evaluate at what cost, as far as how effective he can be, whether it be defensively with the range or at the plate."
Roberts added Wednesday that Rojas is "banged up" and unlikely to play at all in Game 4.
It's a similar situation for Freeman, who is severely limited by his sprained right ankle. He has three singles in 11 at-bats during the NLDS, and after his eighth inning single in Game 3 — ending an 0-for-16 stretch by the Dodgers that neutered any momentum after Teoscar Hernández's grand slam got them back into the game — Freeman hobbled to first base then immediately came out for a pinch-runner, as he simply cannot run.
Freeman was in the first released lineup at first base again on Wednesday, as he was inthe first three games of the series. But was later scratched.
With the two regulars sitting, Tommy Edman starts at shortstop on Wednesday, with Max Muncy moving to first base. Kiké Hernández was inserted into the lineup,originally in center field but now at third base. Chris Taylor starts in center, batting ninth.
Ryan Brasier will be the first Dodgers pitcher on the mound in what is expected to be a bullpen game in Game 4.
