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LOS ANGELES -- In about a month, the Dodgers will be getting ready to welcome Mookie Betts back from the injured list. When that happens, they will finally be at their best both on the field and in the lineup.

But when Betts returns, things at shortstop could look a bit different.

Since Betts went down with a fractured left hand on June 16, Miguel Rojas has handled the bulk of the duties at the position, and he has responded with exactly what the team has needed. Rojas has been an everyday player for the majority of his career and is one of the best defensive shortstops.

The Dodgers knew they were going to upgrade defensively with Rojas, but what has impressed and surprised just about everyone is the 35-year-old¡¯s offensive surge. In 11 games following Betts¡¯ injury, Rojas is 14-for-40 (.350) with four doubles and has struck out just six times.

¡°I can¡¯t say enough about Miggy Ro,¡± said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. ¡°I¡¯m pushing him a little bit as far as playing time, but he¡¯s coming up big. Defensively and big spots offensively, he¡¯s coming up with big RBIs and big hits. Like I said, that edge he puts forward is contagious.¡±

Considering Rojas' age and that he has dealt with soft tissue injuries in the past, the Dodgers will continue to be cautious with the veteran. But when Betts returns, is Rojas the best option to be the everyday shortstop?

A move to give Rojas more playing time would mean Betts shifting back to second base. That could allow the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player to not have to take grounders for an hour pregame on a daily basis. At the time of his injury, Betts appeared to be wearing down, which hurt his offensive numbers after one of the hottest starts to a season in his career.

¡°I don¡¯t think anyone can debate the level of shortstop play from Miguel Rojas,¡± Roberts said. ¡°And so I think some of that is contingent [on] Mookie¡¯s timeline, you know, time of return, when he comes back, where Miggy is at physically and how things are going.¡±

The Dodgers, of course, could opt to bring in someone from the outside. Toronto¡¯s Bo Bichette is the popular name in trade rumors, but is he that much more of a defensive upgrade over Rojas or even Betts with his struggles at the position? Bichette has 0 Outs Above Average this season, making him just an average defender at shortstop. Offensively he¡¯s had his fair share of struggles, too (career-low .619 OPS).

Rojas, on the other hand, has 6 Outs Above Average despite being a part-time player most of the season. That¡¯s tied with Milwaukee's Willy Adames and Chicago's Dansby Swanson, two of the best defenders who both play every game, for seventh among shortstops in the Majors.

¡°I¡¯m just blessed for the opportunity to be playing shortstop for this organization,¡± Rojas said. ¡°I was waiting for this opportunity. Like I told you guys in Spring Training, I didn¡¯t say it just because I have to say it, but I prepare to play 162 games every year. I¡¯m going to do that until my career is over. I still think that I¡¯m an everyday shortstop.¡±