Miguel Rojas Wants to Be the Dodgers’ Shortstop Even After Mookie Betts Returns

It’s been more than a month since Mookie Betts last took the field. A fastball to the hand left Betts with a fractured hand and opened the shortstop position up for Miguel Rojas.

Rojas has been an everyday starter for the majority of his 11-season career, playing a total of 6812 innings. He held down the position for Los Angeles last season, splitting time with Chris Taylor. Rojas was also a starting shortstop for the Miami Marlins before joining the Dodgers in 2023.

“For Miguel Rojas, it is (preferable to play shortstop), because that’s what I enjoy playing. And I really consider myself a shortstop. I consider myself not just a regular shortstop. I think I can be above average defensively and I can be average offensively, and that’s a really good shortstop for you.”

— Miguel Rojas, via Dodgers Nation

Defensively, Rojas has been worth five Outs Above Average as a shortstop this season. He also has recorded 77 assists and six double plays, with three double plays being started by Rojas.

From June 16, the day Betts was injured, to the All-Star break, Rojas batted .293/.333/.400 with a .733 OPS and 109 wRC+. He tallied 22 hits, nine runs, four walks, and seven RBIS across 75 at-bats.

Despite posting his highest batting average this season in June, there is uncertainty surrounding whether Rojas should stay at the position after Betts returns.

“Doubts are going to be there. This is not going to be the first time hearing that, ‘Oh no, he’s going to fall down’ or ‘He’s not going to continue to hit like that. How you going to sustain that if you’ve never been that kind of hitter?’ I don’t care.”

— Miguel Rojas, via Dodgers Nation

Betts is expected to return in the next few weeks as his recovery was projected to take 6-8 weeks. Although Betts is a six-time Gold Glove winner, he is not guaranteed to jump right back into the shortstop role. Betts had not played shortstop since high school, and it showed.

“My whole career [I’ve] been doubted by a lot of people that ‘I’m not going to hit, you’re not going to play the big leagues, you’re not going to do this. We’re going to we’re going to find someone else.’ And if they do great. We all trying to get the team better. And if shortstop is the position to go, that will be great for us. There’s going to be other positions for me to play. I’m going to face good matchups, and I gotta face left-handed pitchers. But if my name is called to play everyday shortstop, I’m ready. I’m not afraid. I’m not scared of the moment, or the situation. I just want to play. And if it’s my name to play shortstop, I’m going to give the team the best, my best that Miguel Rojas can do.”

— Miguel Rojas, via Dodgers Nation

The 35-year-old’s performance this month has impressed Dave Roberts. He said he would consider keeping Rojas at shortstop and sending Betts to second base in place of Gavin Lux, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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