Dodgers Hopeful Injured Star Miguel Rojas Avoids Roster Cut for NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers are planning to remove a position player from their playoff roster for the upcoming National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, but they are hopeful that injured veteran infielder Miguel Rojas will not be the casualty.

Rojas' availability for the NLCS remains uncertain due to a back injury he sustained in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The injury rendered him unavailable for the Dodgers' series-clinching victory in Game 4 against the Atlanta Braves. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated on Friday that Rojas is showing improvement. "Today was encouraging," Roberts said during a video conference. "He took ground balls and took a couple rounds of BP. So that was good to see."

Roberts stated that no definitive decision has been made regarding Rojas' status for the best-of-seven series. The team is awaiting his performance in another workout on Saturday before traveling to Milwaukee for Game 1. "We’ve just got to be certain that if we do have him on [the roster], he can stay healthy," Roberts commented, expressing concern about Rojas potentially being removed mid-series due to the injury, which would make him ineligible for a World Series appearance under MLB playoff roster rules.

An MRI on Rojas' back revealed no new issues, only pre-existing conditions, according to Roberts, who reiterated his optimism about the player's progress. If Rojas is cleared to play, the Dodgers will need to cut another position player. The team intends to carry 13 pitchers in the NLCS, an increase from the 12 used in the divisional round.

Hyeseong Kim, who was called up for the NLDS as a pinch-running and defensive specialist, is considered the most likely candidate for removal. Other reserve players, including rookie Josue De Paula, made significant contributions to the NLDS win. Potential additions to the pitching staff include Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan, and Jack Dreyer.

Rojas first experienced discomfort in Game 3 while fielding a ground ball, and later felt pain after fouling a pitch off his foot during an at-bat, leading to his exit from the game. Initially optimistic about a minor issue, he woke up on Game 4 morning experiencing soreness that prevented him from participating in activities that day.

Though Rojas would likely serve in a reserve role during the NLCS, his right-handed bat, defensive versatility at multiple infield positions, and veteran presence are considered valuable. He is in his 13th and potentially final major league season.

"We still have a plane flight, there’s another workout, and there’s no deadline right now; we’re not up against it," Roberts said. "So we have time to ultimately make that decision."