Rojas makes difficult call to sit out Classic

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic is something Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas has been looking forward to for a number of years.

Rojas was originally scheduled to leave for Florida on Sunday to join his countrymates. But once Gavin Lux sustained a torn ACL that will sideline him for the entire 2023 season, Rojas’ plans changed.

Rojas met with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Brandon Gomes and manager Dave Roberts on Tuesday, and all parties involved decided it was best for Rojas to withdraw from the tournament and stay in camp with the Dodgers.

“It’s a decision that is not coming easy for me,” Rojas said Thursday. “Definitely the WBC and my country and being part of that squad has always been a priority for me and something I really value in my career. One of the best things that I could have done in my career, an experience like no other.”

Rojas said the main reason for his withdrawal from the tournament is because he needs to get consistent at-bats this spring. The 34-year-old underwent surgeries on his right hand and wrist this offseason, preventing him from putting in his usual work.

For Team Venezuela, Rojas would be a backup at short behind the Guardians’ Andrés Giménez, while Jose Altuve is going to get every opportunity at second base. Rojas’ uncertain role for Team Venezuela also caused some concern for him and the Dodgers. Rojas said he could still participate for Venezuela, but only if it comes with regular at-bats, something that appears to be unlikely at this moment.

“We already talked about how bad of a break for the organization it is having Lux hurt like that,” Rojas said. “But I feel like someone has to step up and someone has to take over the position, right? So I’ve been preparing myself for the last nine years to play shortstop every day. For me, that doesn’t change. I’m preparing to play 162 games and whatever it takes to do that, I will be ready.”

When the Dodgers acquired Rojas from the Marlins in January, the thinking was to have him be a key depth piece in case of injury. Nobody expected him to be thrust into the everyday role at shortstop this early in the season, but that’s the reality the Dodgers face now.

“Obviously, as an organization, it benefits us,” Roberts said of Rojas’ decision to skip the WBC. “Getting ready for everyday at-bats, essentially, makes a lot more sense than going and playing the utility role. I let his teammates know yesterday, and they were very grateful and shocked at his sacrifice.”

One teammate in particular that Rojas is staying in camp for is second baseman Miguel Vargas. The Cuban infielder is still learning the position and has benefited from having Mookie Betts and Rojas as tutors.

With the new shift rules in place that prevent opposing teams from having more than two infielders on each side of the second-base bag, being familiar with your double-play partner becomes more crucial than ever. Having Lux and Vargas playing at the same time was a priority for the Dodgers before Lux’s injury.

Now, it’ll be a priority to have Vargas and Rojas work together, as was the case in the Dodgers’ 5-5 tie with the D-backs on Thursday at Camelback Ranch. Not playing for his country was a sacrifice Rojas was willing to make as he continued to establish himself as a big piece of the Dodgers’ puzzle.

“I’m really grateful for them to give me the opportunity to be the guy and be out there every single day at shortstop, or at least the majority of the time because we know [Chris] Taylor can play short as well,” Rojas said. “I’m going to prepare to play every day. If I’m in the lineup, I’m ready. If I’m not, I’m going to be ready to come off the bench.”