Miguel

Rojas

Rojas exited Game 3 of the NLDS and sat out Game 4 due pain in his lower back, but he’s feeling much improved after a recent cortisone injection. He was able to take ground balls and swing the bat on Saturday without issue and should be good to go barring any setbacks.

Rojas exited Game 3 of the NLDS due to pain in his lower back and sat out Game 4 on Wednesday. While he has progressed steadily during their time off, he’s still not ready to return and could potentially be left off of the Dodgers’ roster for their NLCS battle against the Brewers. Expect the Dodgers to make a final decision on his status on Sunday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Rojas isn’t feeling great and won’t be available off the bench after leaving Game 3 with lower back pain. However, they’re not considering removing him from their playoff roster since that would require him to miss the NLCS against the Brewers or Padres as well. It’ll be Enrique Hernández taking over at second base in his absence.

It doesn’t sound like a massive concern, but back issues can be a complicated matter, especially without additional downtime and significant travel during the postseason. Rojas was lifted during the eighth inning of Game 3 in Atlanta after going 0-for-3 at the dish. He’s presumably day-to-day for the remainder of the series.

Rojas appeared to be in some considerable discomfort after fouling off a pitch during an eighth-inning at-bat. He was 0-for-3 prior to exiting. The 37-year-old veteran has been an indispensable role player for the Dodgers in the postseason for the last couple years. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

With left-hander Chris Sale on the mound, the Dodgers will sit both Tommy Edman and Max Muncy and go with a right-heavy lineup. The Dodgers will also move Shohei Ohtani down to fifth in the lineup, as the reigning MVP has struggled in the first two games of action after returning from injury. The full lineup with Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound for Los Angeles: SS Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman, RF Teoscar Hernandez, C Will Smith, DH Ohtani, 2B Rojas, CF Andy Pages, RF Kyle Tucker and 3B Enrique Hernandez.

This is a little surprising, since Muncy would probably face Kerr just the once, but they’ll go with Miguel Rojas initially. That’s the lone change from Saturday, which was also against a lefty opener in Dylan Dodd. The lineup: SS Mookie Betts, DH Shohei Ohtani, C Will Smith, 1B Freddie Freeman, LF Teoscar Hernández, RF Kyle Tucker, CF Andy Pages, 3B Rojas, 2B Tommy Edman.

Max Muncy is also taking a seat with lefty Matt Wilkinson serving as San Francisco’s opener. It appears to be a routine off day for Freeman, who missed time with a right knee issue a couple weeks ago. The 37-year-old veteran has already played 152 games this season, hitting .290/.364/.432 with 74 runs scored, 16 homers, 70 RBI and seven steals in 654 plate appearances. It’ll be Enrique Hernández and Miguel Rojas at the infield corners in this one.

It looks to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 31-year-old infielder. Miguel Rojas will start in his place at second base and will bat fifth for the Dodgers against Giants’ left-hander Cesar Perdomo.

Rojas told reporters he didn’t require an injection in his shoulder after aggravating an existing labrum team while diving for a ball during Sunday’s game against the Marlins. It’s an encouraging sign that the 37-year-old infielder, who is expected to retire at the conclusion of the year, is already back in the lineup without missing any additional time. It doesn’t appear to be a significant concern moving forward.