Miguel Rojas returned to Dodger Stadium just three days after his father’s sudden passing. It would have been understandable if he had opted to leave the team or been placed on the bereavement list, but instead, he decided to stay for the series against the Rangers. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received from both the club and his teammates recently.
Manager Dave Roberts shared insights about Rojas, mentioning that his family is somewhat scattered worldwide and that Rojas feels a need to remain with the team during this difficult time.
Rojas missed a game in Toronto when he learned that his father, Miguel Rojas Sr., had suffered a heart attack just shortly before the game began.
His father’s funeral was held the following day in their hometown in Venezuela. Yet, with the team on a road trip, Rojas said it felt too early to go back. Instead, he honored his father by wearing a hat with “Mickey,” his father’s nickname, during the afternoon game.
Shohei Ohtani acknowledged the challenge Rojas faced that day, noting his contributions on the field despite the circumstances.
Mookie Betts and Blake Snell’s Health Updates
In other team news, Mookie Betts is recovering well from an oblique strain and feels “good,” according to Roberts. While his return might not align with the 10-day disabled list expiration, there’s optimism surrounding his quick comeback.
Then there’s Blake Snell, who is showing positive signs after missing the season opener due to a shoulder strain. He is scheduled to face batters for the first time this Saturday, which is a crucial step toward his recovery.
Additionally, right-handed reliever Brock Stewart is also making progress and could return as he has been active in Arizona recently.
Injury Updates
On a less positive note, Tommy Edman hasn’t started running at full capacity yet, indicating he isn’t close to rejoining the team after offseason ankle surgery. Roberts conveyed that Edman is behind schedule compared to others like Kiké Hernández, who is recovering from elbow surgery.
Meanwhile, pitchers Gavin Stone and Brusdar Graterol are both in slow recovery modes. Stone faced inflammation in his shoulder following one spring start, while Graterol is dealing with speed issues after having had shoulder surgery earlier in spring camp.
Roberts noted that while Graterol’s velocity has been improving in practice, it’s hard to gauge his readiness to take on batters just yet. As for Stone’s rehab, it remains a slow process.
