Dodgers Scratch Infielder From Starting Lineup Ahead of Mariners Series Finale
The Dodgers scratched Miguel Rojas from their starting lineup Wednesday, hours before they were set to play the Seattle Mariners. No immediate explanation was given by the team.
Rojas, 35, is hitting .283 with a .325 on-base percentage and .404 slugging percentage in 78 games this season. He also has three home runs and 26 RBIs.
Between July and August, Rojas missed 14 games with a forearm injury. The Dodgers signed veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed to fill in in the meantime. Monday, Ahmed was designated for assignment when the Dodgers activated Edman and third baseman Max Muncy from the injured list.
Rojas had been scheduled to bat ninth and play shortstop. Tommy Edman is playing shortstop instead, and Kevin Kiermaier will start in center field and bat ninth.
Logan Gilbert is starting for the Seattle Mariners. Jack Flaherty is starting for the Dodgers, who won the first two games of the series at Dodger Stadium.
Why Did the Dodgers Scratch Miguel Rojas?
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, manager Dave Roberts said Rojas was scratched because a pre-existing left hamstring injury flared up again.
If Rojas can use the next two days to rest and recover, he’ll be able to miss only one game. The Dodgers have an off-day Thursday before hosting the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
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Struggling Walker Buehler has brutal quote about his upcoming free agency
Walker Buehler has been a Cy Young contender and an All-Star during his career, but the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is now pitching for his job in the team’s rotation. That is obviously not how he envisioned going into free agency.
Buehler struggled again on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, allowing three runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He received a no-decision when the Dodgers came back to win, but it was another discouraging performance against a bad offense, as it bumped his ERA to 6.09 on the season in ten starts.
The former All-Star acknowledged after the game that he is essentially pitching for his job at this point. He was also brutally dismissive about his upcoming free agency, as he essentially said that is something he gets to worry about if he is actually performing.
“There’s just not a whole lot to talk about,” Buehler said, via Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. “I have a six ERA. I’m trying to figure out how to get people out in the major leagues. Free agency is for talking about when you have a two-five and you’re rolling through the league. I really don’t care. To be honest, I’ve played here my whole career. I love playing here. We’ve won a World Series here.”
Buehler missed the first part of the season as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. At that point, the Dodgers wanted to keep him fresh for a playoff run. Now, it is not even clear if Buehler would be a part of that playoff run based on how he is performing.
