Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Provides Injury Updates on JD Martinez, Will Smith and Miguel Rojas
The Dodgers have been without two of their starters for a good portion of the last two weeks. Will Smith, who was playing incredible baseball to start the year, hasn’t played in two weeks since suffering a concussion.
Miguel Rojas, the team’s starting shortstop, has been out for over a week with a hamstring strain that forced him to go on the injured list, on top of the groin issues he was dealing with earlier in the season.
And more recently, the team’s designated hitter J.D. Martinez has been out of the lineup the last two games (including Wednesday’s) with some back issues.
The Dodgers have greatly missed Smith’s bat in the lineup, and have missed Rojas’ defense (and ability) to play shortstop — I don’t think anyone saw Mookie Betts playing shortstop when the year began.
However, both players are nearing a return and, on Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to the media, and gave a potential return timeline. He said Smith could be activated as soon as Saturday, while Rojas will need a mini rehab assignment, but could be back by Monday.
The Dodgers lineup has really missed Smith, so they will be very happy to get him back. He spoke to reporters on Wednesday, too, and said he’s been symptom-free for around five days now. He also said he’ll catch a bullpen today to get more work.
The Dodgers are being extra cautious with his return, which makes sense, as he’s coming back from a concussion. That’s the injury you want to be careful with, and you don’t want to rush someone back until they’re 100 percent ready to go.
As for Martinez, Roberts said he could come off the bench on Wednesday if the team needed it, but it will depend on how he’s feeling pregame. The good news is he said he doesn’t expect an IL stint in his future, and will just manage him carefully and not rush him back.
The Dodgers have remained afloat without their full lineup, but they’ll be very happy to get everyone back soon.
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