Miguel Rojas Day to Day After Feeling Pop in Right Shoulder

Miguel Rojas is day to day after aggravating his right shoulder during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series finale against the Miami Marlins.

Rojas injured the shoulder while diving for a ground ball in the eighth inning of Sunday’s 6-4 loss at loanDepot park. His right arm extended awkwardly as he attempted to reach a ball hit up the middle, causing him to feel a pop in the back of the shoulder.

The 37-year-old remained in the game long enough to finish the defensive half of the inning. Tommy Edman then pinch-hit for him in the ninth and replaced him at second base.

Rojas said afterward that the shoulder was extremely sore and that he would receive treatment Monday. He identified a possible injection as one option but planned to wait and evaluate how the shoulder responded over the following 24 to 48 hours.

“It’s really sore right now,” Rojas said. “I’m probably gonna get an injection.”

The Dodgers have classified Rojas as day to day. No injured-list move has been announced.

Rojas Aggravates Chronic Shoulder Problem

Rojas indicated that Sunday’s injury may have aggravated a labrum tear he has managed for much of his career.

The injury occurred when he attempted to make a diving stop on Joe Mack’s ground-ball single in the eighth inning. Rojas said his arm became overextended and that he felt a pop behind the shoulder.

Members of the Dodgers’ athletic training staff examined him on the field. Although Rojas stayed in through the end of the inning, he did not take another plate appearance or return to the field in the bottom of the ninth.

Rojas said the sensation was not entirely unfamiliar because he has played through discomfort in the same shoulder before. The pop and increased soreness, however, made additional treatment necessary.

MLB’s official injury tracker lists Rojas with right shoulder pain and describes his expected return as day to day. The Dodgers planned to evaluate him after Monday’s treatment before determining his availability. (MLB.com)

There has been no confirmed report that Rojas underwent imaging or suffered a new structural tear.

Injury Interrupts Emotional Return to Miami

The shoulder injury occurred during an otherwise meaningful afternoon for Rojas.

Sunday may have been his final appearance at loanDepot park, where he spent eight seasons as a member of the Marlins before returning to the Dodgers.

Miami honored Rojas with a tribute video following the first inning. He acknowledged the crowd from the top of the Dodgers’ dugout, placing his hand over his heart as fans applauded.

Rojas finished the game 1-for-3 and reached base three times before leaving.

The Dodgers made a point of placing him in the starting lineup because of his history with the Marlins and the possibility that he will retire after the season. Roberts had discussed the significance of the game with Rojas before the series and wanted him to receive an opportunity to play in front of the Miami crowd again.

The injury turned what had been a personal homecoming into another concern for a Dodgers roster already managing several position-player health issues.

Rojas Hopes to Continue Playing Through Injury

Despite feeling the pop, Rojas expressed optimism that treatment would allow him to remain available during the final two weeks of the regular season.

He acknowledged that players are often required to manage physical problems at this stage of the year, particularly with the postseason approaching.

Rojas has dealt with shoulder discomfort before and believes an injection could reduce the pain enough for him to continue playing. That remains his expectation rather than a confirmed medical timetable.

The Dodgers will need to see how the shoulder responds before deciding when he can return.

Because Los Angeles has not placed Rojas on the injured list, the club currently appears to be treating the injury as a short-term issue. That could change if the soreness does not improve or if further evaluation reveals more significant damage.

For now, his status must be considered uncertain from one game to the next.

Dodgers Have Infield Depth Behind Rojas

The Dodgers have multiple options to cover Rojas’ innings if he misses time.

Tommy Edman can play second base, while Alex Freeland is capable of handling multiple infield positions. Kiké Hernández also gives Roberts another versatile option around the diamond.

Mookie Betts remains the primary shortstop, but Rojas’ ability to play second, third and shortstop provides the Dodgers with valuable late-game flexibility. His reliable defense and understanding of positioning also make him difficult to replace with one player.

Through 94 games this season, Rojas has produced a .704 OPS with three home runs and 20 RBIs. Much of his value continues to come from his glove, versatility and role as one of the clubhouse’s veteran leaders.

His injury arrives while Freddie Freeman is also managing right-knee soreness and Shohei Ohtani remains on the 15-day injured list with left-knee and right-biceps issues.

Losing Rojas for an extended period would further reduce the Dodgers’ position-player depth during the final stretch.

No Firm Return Date Yet for Rojas

Rojas entered Monday officially considered day to day.

That designation indicates the Dodgers are not yet treating the injury as one that will necessarily require an IL stint. It does not guarantee he will return during the Cincinnati series.

The immediate questions are how much pain remains after treatment and whether the shoulder gives Rojas sufficient strength and range of motion to throw, swing and dive safely.

An injection could help control the inflammation and discomfort, but the Dodgers must still determine whether Rojas can perform without making the injury worse.

Until the club provides an update after treatment, it would be premature to predict when he will return to the lineup.

The initial signs offer some reason for cautious optimism. Rojas remained in the game after the injury, has experience managing the existing shoulder condition and does not expect the aggravation to end his season.

The sensation he described still makes the situation worth monitoring closely.

Rojas intends to keep playing, but the Dodgers first need to determine what caused the pop and how his shoulder responds over the next several days.