Johan Rojas isn't in the lineup for the Phillies Friday. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
Johan Rojas is out of the lineup for the Phillies Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Rob Thomson said it's unrelated to a questionable baserunning decision the 24-year-old made Thursday.
Cal Stevenson, not Rojas, will start in center field for the Phillies as they open up a weekend series against the Snakes.
"Yeah, just a day off," Thomson said of Rojas. "I might give him another one. He's kinda gotten [where] he's played every day. And he's got some body soreness, just general, but he's fine."
The timing of Rojas not being in the lineup will raise some eyebrows, fair or unfair.
In Thursday's loss to the Washington Nationals, he stretched a double into triple in the ninth inning. It was electric. But it was unnecessary given that there were two outs and the Phillies were down two. He could have easily made the final out of the game at third base.
"Yeah, it's something I'll talk to him about tomorrow," Thomson said Thursday night. "It was a little too close for me."
Rob Thomson says he’ll talk to Johan Rojas about his baserunning decision in the ninth.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/bnC2znK0Zp
But when asked if Rojas being out of the lineup Friday is at all related to his decision to push things in the ninth inning Thursday, Thomson responded swiftly.
"Oh nothing, no," Thomson said adamantly.
So did Thomson, as he said he would, speak to Rojas today?
"Yes."
How did that go?
"Great," Thomson replied. "It's just about a situation."
In this situation, Thomson would have preferred that Rojas — as amazing as he is to watch run — just settled for a stand-up double.
Johan Rojas is out of the lineup tonight, and may also be tomorrow as he deals with some general body soreness. It has nothing to do with the ninth-inning baserunning last night, per Rob Thomson.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/wxA5FoIx9w
There will definitely be some who don't buy Thomson's explanation. Even if you are skeptical about the severity of the general body soreness, a day or two off might not necessarily mean the Phillies are punishing Rojas. Brandon Marsh (right hamstring) could be activated as soon as tomorrow, which would likely mean Stevenson gets optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. So the Phillies may be doing right by Stevenson to get him a start against a right-handed pitcher in Merrill Kelly. And if Marsh is activated from the injured list Saturday, he could very well start over Rojas against the right-handed Brandon Pfaadt. Rojas could then return to the lineup Sunday against lefty Eduardo Rodríguez.
It will be interesting to see how the Phillies utilize Rojas once Marsh returns. It's been a strange stretch for Rojas. He's hitting .305 this season, and looks as good as he ever has at the plate. But he's made questionable decisions both in the field and on the basepaths. Coming into the season, you questioned whether he could hit enough to be in the lineup regularly, despite his excellent defensive reputation and blazing speed when he does get on base.
So when Marsh returns — be it Saturday or another time in the near future — what will be the division of labor between he and Rojas?
"Don't really know," Thomson acknowledged. "But Rojas has played very well. And I like where his swing is at right now. We'll just have to play it by ear."
