Rojas Injection Clears Path For Dodgers NLCS Roster Spot

Miguel Rojas is officially available for the NLCS after receiving a cortisone injection to treat his back injury. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the veteran infielder will join the roster for the series against the Brewers. This move gives the Dodgers a crucial weapon against left-handed pitching as the championship round begins on Sunday.

Rojas sat out Game 4 of the NLDS and was pulled during an eighth-inning plate appearance in Game 3. The injection helped loosen up the area enough for him to return. Roberts told reporters that the plan is to have him ready for the long haul. This is a smart play for a team that needs every bit of depth in a seven-game series.

The Left-Handed Matchup Advantage

The Brewers will start right-handers Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson in the first two games. This limits Rojas’ value as a starter, but he remains vital for the bench role. He hit .293 with four homers against lefties this season. In contrast, he posted a .505 OPS against right-handed pitching. The Dodgers leaned on him heavily against southpaws all year with 162 plate appearances in that split.

Brewers lefties in the bullpen like Aaron Ashby, JoJo Romero, and DL Hall will give Rojas chances to pinch-hit. He knows how to perform when it counts. He tied the Game 7 World Series last year with a ninth-inning home run off Jeff Hoffman. That experience matters more than stats in October. He has two rings and 23 games of playoff experience.

Roster Adjustments And Pitching Depth

The Dodgers are adding a reliever who can cover two to three innings to handle a longer series. Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that Justin Wrobleski and Emmet Sheehan are potential options for this role. The team will carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players, shifting from the 14 hitters and 12 pitchers they used in the NLDS. This adjustment makes sense for a matchup against a team that won 103 games.

Manager Roberts also hinted at changes in the batting order for Shohei Ohtani. Deciding whether Ohtani returns to the No. 2 spot or remains in the cleanup role is still pending. Ohtani went 2-for-13 in the NLDS and was dropped to fifth in Game 3. He stole a base in Game 4, which shows his troublesome knee is feeling better. The team needs him to shake off the rust from missing two weeks in September.

Why This Roster Move Wins Games

Adding Rojas to the mix solves a specific problem for the Dodgers against Milwaukee’s pitching staff. The Brewers have the second-most runs in the league and a deep lineup. They need every advantage they can get. Rojas provides a reliable option when the game turns to left-handed relievers. His ability to hit lefties is a clear edge that the Brewers cannot ignore.

The series starts on Sunday at 7 pm CT with Misiorowski facing off against Tarik Skubal. Both teams are well-rested after wrapping up their Division Series on Wednesday. The Dodgers aim to be the first squad to claim three consecutive championships since the Yankees achieved this from 1998 through 2000.