The Dodgers updated Miguel Rojas’ injury status before the NLCS

The back injury that knocked Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas out of the National League Division Series early isn’t expected to keep him sidelined for the National League Championship Series, manager Dave Roberts told reporters Saturday, Oct. 10.

Rojas took ground balls and participated in batting practice Friday, Oct. 9, giving the Dodgers reason for optimism as they prepare for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Today was encouraging,” Roberts said Friday, adding that Rojas’ workout was “a step in the right direction.”

Rojas, 37, hasn’t played since he exited Game 3 of the NLDS on Tuesday in Atlanta. He appeared to aggravate the injury while fielding a ground ball by Ronald Acuña Jr. in the fifth inning of the game, then experienced increased discomfort during an eighth-inning at-bat and was removed.

Rojas did not play Wednesday as the Dodgers completed a four-game series victory over Atlanta to advance to their third consecutive NL Championship Series.

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Roberts said the Dodgers planned to use the time available before Sunday’s opener to evaluate Rojas rather than make an immediate decision on his roster status. The team also intends to add a 13th pitcher for the longer championship series, meaning at least one position player from its Division Series roster will have to be removed.

Emmett Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski, who started for most of the regular season but also pitched in relief, are the most likely candidates to be added to the Dodgers’ NLCS roster.

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Among all Dodgers hitters with at least 20 at-bats against left-handed pitchers in the regular season, only Teoscar Hernández had a better batting average than Rojas (.293).

Rojas struck out only 18 times against southpaws this year in 147 at-bats. The Dodgers could use his contact-heavy approach as a pinch hitter off the bench against lefties, particularly with some of their best hitters struggling.

Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani combined to go 3 for 29 with 11 strikeouts against the Braves.

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