The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a hard-fought victory against the Kansas City Royals in their series finale, but not without a moment of concern surrounding Miguel Rojas. During the seventh inning, Rojas attempted to advance to second base on a play but was thrown out and subsequently jammed his finger on the slide, causing him noticeable pain.
Despite the injury, Rojas managed to play in the bottom of the seventh and even fielded the first hit directed his way. However, he was substituted in the bottom of the eighth by Hyeseong Kim. Rojas commented on his condition, noting that while his finger was sore and swelling, he wanted to be cautious to avoid further damage. He said on SportsNet LA, “It was swelling up on me after that inning, and felt like I should be smart, take care of it, put some ice on it and try to calm the inflammation.”
Initially fearing he may have dislocated or fractured his finger, Rojas felt relieved after being examined by the trainer, who confirmed it was just a jammed finger and not a more severe injury. He recalled a previous experience with a similar injury last season, expressing gratitude that this time he escaped with less damage, stating, “I’m glad it wasn’t dislocated. It was just a really bad jam, and I think I escaped a bad situation there.”
Losing Rojas would have posed a significant challenge for the Dodgers, especially given his recent surge in performance, where he has batted impressively with a .320 average and multiple productive outings in his last 15 games. Rojas has proven to be a versatile player, filling important defensive roles throughout the season.
Reflecting on his journey this season, Rojas admitted to struggling earlier while adjusting to a reduced role. However, he has made adjustments to his approach at the plate and improved his opportunities, especially against left-handed pitchers. “It’s just really hard to come off the bench… you just have to wait for the good wave,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-belief throughout the ups and downs of the season.
The Dodgers will be hopeful that Rojas continues his positive trajectory, further contributing to the team’s depth and success as they move further into the season. Overall, Rojas’s resilience and preparation highlight the importance of adaptability in professional sports.