Dodgers infielder tears adductor muscle, requires surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas said an MRI of his injured left adductor muscle revealed a tear and he will require surgery this offseason, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times :

Rojas said he would try to get through it and received a cortisone injection on Thursday.

The 35-year-old left Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres after aggravating his injury while running on the bases. Rojas said after the match that he had been dealing with his injury for some time.

In the fourth inning, Rojas took first base after drawing a walk.

Shohei Ohtani then hit a double from the bullpen door in right field, allowing Gavin Lux to score from second. Rojas reached third, but after rounding the base, he appeared to limp as he returned safely to the bag. Despite the worry, Rojas remained in the game after a quick check from coach Thomas Albert and manager Dave Roberts.

One pitch later, the inning ended. When the Dodgers emerged from the dugout to take the field on defense, Tommy Edman ran too short while Rojas remained in the dugout.

“I’m trying to calm down and be ready for what’s really important, which is playing in the playoffs,” Rojas said after the game. “I’ve had days off here and there, but we think with the playoffs you’ll only play three days in a row. I’m hoping that my ability to stay on top of things, along with the injection of the medication, will help.

Rojas hopes to play at least one game against the Rockies before the playoffs begin. The Dodgers visit Colorado for three games starting Friday.

“It’s concerning. He’s kind of dealt with that all year,” Roberts said of Rojas. “We tried to manage his workload, his playing time, and now he’s getting the injection. I hope he can play on Sunday.

Rojas has been a vital part of the Dodgers this season. He played all over the field and was a leader in the clubhouse.

He stepped in when Mookie Betts was on the injured list with a fractured hand and played shortstop almost every game. Earlier this week, Rojas became the Dodgers’ choice for the annual Roy Campanella Award, given to the team’s most inspirational player.

Over 103 games this season, Rojas is hitting .283 with a .337 on-base percentage and .410 slugging percentage.

In another roster move Thursday, the Dodgers removed catcher Austin Barnes from the injured list and offered catcher Hunter Feduccia to the minors — effectively an administrative decision, as the minor league seasons are over.