Diamondbacks 3B Josh Rojas to miss ‘weeks’ with oblique strain
Apr 3, 2022, 1:35 PM
Josh Rojas #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws to first base against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Josh Rojas will miss “weeks, not days” with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, manager Torey Lovullo told AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro and reporters Sunday.
The injury is a blow to the D-backs less than a week from Opening Day. Rojas was set to be the No. 1 option at third base, a position that was presumed to be upgraded by Arizona this offseason and still could be.
The D-backs, however, have yet to bring in a player that would take up a significant chunk of the at-bats on the hot corner. Arizona did trade for Chicago Cubs infielder Sergio Alcantara on March 27, a 25-year-old that hit .205 in 89 games last year. And in that move, infielder Josh VanMeter was designated for assignment, one of the candidates to play third after starting 19 games there for the D-backs in 2021.
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Rojas and Alcantara are the lone two players on the D-backs’ active roster listed under the depth chart at third base. The roster sits at 34 players before the few final cuts of spring remain. Drew Ellis, Jake Hager and Matt Davidson are three other options at third base who were sent to minor league camp or Triple-A Reno earlier in spring.
Rojas led the D-backs in plate appearances last year with 550. He played in 139 games and hit .264 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs. The utility player started games in left and right field and also at second base, shortstop and third base.
Opening Day is on Thursday. The D-backs will take on the visiting San Diego Padres at Chase Field starting at 6:40 p.m. and you can tune in on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
