Dodgers' infield depth thinned with injuries to Taylor, Rojas

LOS ANGELES -- Coming into the week, the Dodgers knew they were going to get a little healthier on the pitching side. Tyler Glasnow returned on Wednesday after a couple of weeks' absence. Clayton Kershaw will make his season debut on Thursday.

But as much of the season has gone, the injury bug bit the Dodgers once again with their position group taking yet another hit. Miguel Rojas was placed on the 10-day injured list and will miss significant time with a right flexor strain.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers also likely lost Chris Taylor for a few weeks with a left groin injury he suffered in the seventh inning of an 8-3 loss to the Giants at Dodger Stadium, snapping their five-game winning streak. Taylor will get additional imaging done on Thursday, but the utilityman is likely heading for the IL, according to manager Dave Roberts.

“Sort of high,” Roberts said, when asked about the concern level regarding Taylor’s injury. “Any time he comes out of the game -- which he doesn't, his pain tolerance is very high -- that’s certainly telling. … I’m assuming it’s an IL and hopefully it’s not much more than that though.”

Taylor said he has never had a groin injury so it was difficult for him to say how concerned he was. He did add that he didn’t feel a pop or anything, which is good news for the Dodgers.

“Rounding first I felt it,” Taylor said. “It kind of grabbed on me. We’ll get images tomorrow and see what it is.”

The injuries to both Taylor and Rojas have put a significant dent in the Dodgers’ infield depth. Los Angeles has been without Mookie Betts and Max Muncy for over a month, but they were able to lean on Rojas and Taylor for quality depth. Before Wednesday’s game, the Dodgers signed veteran Nick Ahmed, who will handle most of the responsibilities at short until Rojas or Betts returns from the injured list.

Losing Taylor, who could also fill in at shortstop from time to time, comes at an unfortunate time as the utilityman can play a multitude of positions and was starting to find a little more life at the plate following a disastrous start to his season.

Over his last eight games, Taylor has recorded at least one hit in six of them, including a four-game hitting streak. In Taylor’s absence, the Dodgers will lean on Kiké Hernández and Cavan Biggio at third base. James Outman will be activated to replace Taylor on the active roster.

“It’s tough, it’s tough,” Roberts said of handling a flurry of injuries this season. “Fortunately we picked up Ahmed and signed him to stabilize the infield defense. … Now you just have to tap into guys that are playing and the depth. To lose Miggy and CT in essentially consecutive days, it’s a big blow, and you’re bringing an outfielder so the infield depth is a little bit thin.”

The loss of nearly a handful of impact players was felt on Wednesday as the Dodgers’ offense was held quiet by Robbie Ray and the Giants’ bullpen for most of the night. After getting a run in the first inning on two walks and two hit-by-pitches, the Dodgers weren’t able to get anything going against Ray, who was making his season debut.

Ray tossed five no-hit innings against a Dodgers offense that didn’t record its first hit of the night until Taylor’s two-out double in the seventh. On the other side, Glasnow was only able to get through five innings, further exposing a tired bullpen that allowed six runs over four innings.

“He’s always had really good stuff and good fastball and then that slider plays right off of it in the same tunnel,” Taylor said. “He’s tough. When he’s on, you really just got to grind him out. I think we definitely missed an opportunity in the first inning.”

With the July 30 Trade Deadline looming, the Dodgers will continue looking for areas to improve. Starting-pitching help will be at the forefront of the discussions, but adding a position player or two isn’t out of the question, either. That need will intensify if Taylor -- along with Rojas -- are forced to miss more time than anticipated.