Miguel Rojas’ back injury became the Dodgers’ first real postseason health concern, but Los Angeles treated Game 4 against the Braves like a spot to protect the bigger picture rather than force a quick fix.
Rojas was pulled from Game 3 of the National League Division Series after feeling low back pain. The 37-year-old left in the top of the eighth inning after taking a swing, then bent over in obvious discomfort and walked off with a Dodgers trainer.
Before the Dodgers finished off Atlanta in Game 4, manager Dave Roberts made it clear Rojas would not be part of the lineup.
“Not great,” Roberts said when asked for an update on Rojas’ status. “Back’s sore.
Laying low. Won’t be available today.
“I think for us it’s, like, we have an extended bench anyway. So to try to make any decisions that would compromise his status for a potential next series doesn’t make sense. So we’re going to kick this one to another day.”
During the broadcast Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal reported that although Rojas left after the swing, the injury happened on a play in the fifth inning when he slipped while moving to his left for the third out.
The Dodgers also chose not to replace Rojas on their playoff roster before Game 4. That kept their options open, since making a move then would have left him ineligible for the NL Championship Series if they advanced.
Now that L.A. has moved on, the club can make a roster change without any penalty if it wants to. The NLCS does not begin until Sunday, so there is still time before a call has to be made.
Alex Freeland looks like the likeliest candidate if the Dodgers go that route. Hyeseong Kim is already on the NLDS roster as a pinch-runner, and Josue De Paula is there for pinch-hitting depth off the bench. Alex Call is another possibility, especially because Kiké Hernández can cover multiple infield spots.
Rojas looked more cautious than usual while the Dodgers celebrated in the visiting clubhouse at Truist Park. He is expected to be tested sometime this week as the team tries to get a clearer picture of the back injury.
Rojas is potentially in the final season of his career.
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