Dodgers News: Dodgers GM Pins Rookie's Struggles on Hand Injury

Miguel Vargas should have an improved 2024 season.

Entering the season, hopes were high around the Dodgers organization for how rookie infielder Miguel Vargas would perform.

After consecutive seasons batting above .300 in the minor leagues, all signs pointed to the 23-year-old being ready to play in the big leagues. His 18 appearances in 2022 weren't out of this world, but they were promising.

Vargas entered the 2023 season as the Dodgers' presumed starter at second base but struggled during the first three months of the season while remaining a consistent starter. In July, Vargas was essentially shut down in the major leagues and sent back to the minors.

On the season, Vargas held a .195 batting average and added just 7 home runs. Throughout the season, manager Dave Roberts reaffirmed his belief that Vargas would be a strong contributor to the Dodgers, but his decision to keep Vargas in the minor leagues through the Dodgers' final stretch of the season was a telling one. 

After the season, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said that hand injuries were a major factor in Vargas' struggles to hit consistently, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

#Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes blamed hand injuries as major factor in Miguel Vargas' struggles that landed him back in AAA. Expectation is Mookie Betts will play a lot of 2B again next year so Vargas and Michael Busch might have to find playing time elsewhere, potentially LF

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) November 8, 2023

Plunkett also reported that utilityman Mookie Betts is expected to expand his role in the infield, where he flourished in 2023, meaning Vargas might have to move to the outfield if he is to play a consistent role for the Dodgers.

Betts started 62 games at second base in 2023, notching 87 putouts, 136 assists, 33 double plays and just 2 errors. His versatility will allow Roberts and Gomes to construct a roster with much more flexibility.