Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Calls Miguel Rojas A 'Manager on the Field'

He had high praise for his veteran infielder.

When the Dodgers traded for veteran infielder Miguel Rojas before the season, he was expected to provide depth all over the infield. Then, Gavin Lux went down with a torn ACL, and Rojas was suddenly the team's starting shortstop.

While Rojas hasn't exactly given the team a boost with his bat — he's hitting .223 with zero home runs and an OPS of .548 — he has flashed his incredible defense at shortstop.

More importantly, though, he's added a great veteran presence both on and off the field, something his manager, Dave Roberts, has noticed and appreciated.

"Miggy’s been fantastic. I think he’s really stabilized the infield defense," Roberts said ahead of Wednesday's loss to the Orioles. "He’s a baseball player. He’s been around a long time, played in various roles. Just enjoys playing the game of baseball, and I think that, in itself, is contagious, and shouldn’t be understated."

Dave Roberts on today's roster moves, Dustin May's road to recovery and more ahead of the finale in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/pGQx0Ku3dZ

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 19, 2023

Roberts explained that Rojas told the team they needed to play with more urgency after their series loss in Kansas City to the lowly Royals. Since that sseries, the Dodgers are 9-3.

"Him identifying to our team that we’ve got to play with more urgency I think resonated," Roberts said. "And sometimes it just holds more weight when a veteran player addresses something like that. So our guys clearly heard it and responded."

Roberts also spoke about a specific moment in Tuesday's win over the Orioles where Rojas decided to go out for a mound visit with rookie right-handed pitcher Michael Grove.

"He and I have built a relationship that he wanted to be an extension of me, in the best possible way," Roberts said. "I talk a lot about having talented players, but also smart players. And understanding that a visit needed to happen right there for Michael (Grove) at that point in time, that’s a manager on the field)."

Grove ended up having his best start in months, and Rojas helped calm his rookie pitcher and get him to finish five innings that the Dodgers really needed.

So while Rojas may not be making the biggest impact with his bat, he's doing everything else and more  forthe Dodgers. He's proving to be a great addition by Andrew Friedman and co.