Injury Updates on Miguel Rojas, Miguel Vargas as They Remain Out of Dodgers Lineup
The Dodgers have been without their starting middle infield for the last few games. Starting shortstop Miguel Rojas has been out since Monday with a mild groin strain, while starting second baseman Miguel Vargas hasn't played since Tuesday after getting hit by a pitch on the hand in Monday's game.
Both players have been progressing, but have been out of the lineup as they fully recover. On Thursday, however, we got an update on both of them. Let's start with Vargas.
"Today I feel a lot better," Vargas told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register before Thursday's game. "I was throwing and hitting already and I feel good. I feel better and I’ll be able to pinch-hit today."
Vargas didn't end up pinch-hitting in Thursday's game, but that could be because the Dodgers just didn't need him. We'll see how Friday goes, but it sounds like there's a good chance Vargas is back in the lineup.
As for Rojas, manager Dave Roberts said his injury is "a little more tricky," (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).
"It’s just the position he’s playing and that part of the body, the groin, it’s so dynamic," Roberts said. "One move can set you back weeks. We just can’t afford that."
The Dodgers don't have much depth at the shortstop position. They already lost Gavin Lux for the year, so now it's just Rojas and Chris Taylor. They definitely can't afford to lose Rojas for an extended period of time, like Roberts said, so they'll be extra cautious with him until they know he's ready. However, it doesn't sound like an IL stint is in his future.
We should know more later today, but for now, it sounds like there's a much better chance we see Vargas in Friday's lineup than Rojas.
