Johan Rojas - Page 6 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

On bench against righty again Rojas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Impact Rojas has now sat out in both of the Phillies' last two matchups with right-handed pitchers and looks to have moved into a short-side platoon role after Philadelphia recently welcomed Brandon Marsh back from the injured list. With Marsh set to start in center field more often than not, he'll likely be flanked by Nick Castellanos in right field and either Kyle Schwarber or Jake Cave in left field when the Phillies oppose righties.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench in Marsh's return Rojas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Impact With Brandon Marsh (knee) starting in center field Sunday in his return from the 10-day injured list, Rojas will be the odd man out of the outfield while Jake Cave and Nick Castellanos handle duties in left and right field, respectively. Like Castellanos, Marsh should be locked into near-everyday roles against right-handed pitching moving forward, leaving Rojas to battle with Cave for reps at the other outfield spots on days that Kyle Schwarber is serving as a designated hitter. Though Rojas is the superior defender of the two, Cave may have the edge on playing time at the moment after going 6-for-11 with four extra-base hits over his last three starts.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sits down Saturday Rojas isn't in the Phillies' lineup Saturday against the Twins.

Impact After belting the first homer of his career during Friday's blowout win, Rojas will catch a breather Saturday. Jake Cave will take over in center field and bat eighth while Rojas sits.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs first career homer Rojas went 1-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 13-2 rout of the Twins.

Impact The rookie's first career homer came in the eighth inning, as he launched a two-run shot off position player Jordan Luplow -- for which Rojas apologized as he crossed home plate, per Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The 22-year-old center fielder is slashing .306/.338/.419 through his first 67 plate appearances in the majors with five steals, nine runs and 12 RBI.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes regular in center field Rojas went 2-for-3 with a pair of base hits in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Royals.

Impact Rojas raised his on-base percentage to .356 with the two singles, though he effectively negated one of the base knocks by being picked off first base in the bottom of the fourth inning. The 22-year-old rookie has impressed with his contact skills, speed and defense in his limited action in the majors thus far, and Matt Gelb of The Athletic relays that Rojas should be solidified as a regular in the Philadelphia outfield for the foreseeable future after Brandon Marsh (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Sunday.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Thursday Rojas is not in Thursday's lineup against the Marlins.

Impact Rojas had started four games in a row, two against righties and two against lefties, before heading to the bench for this one. He is hitting .235 with two doubles, zero home runs, one steal and seven strikeouts in his last five games. Jake Cave draws the start in his place.

AUGUST 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs fourth straight start Rojas will start in center field and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Impact Rojas will stick in the lineup for a fourth consecutive game, with two of his starts coming versus southpaws and two coming versus right-handed pitchers. The 22-year-old has held his own thus far in a limited sample of 32 plate appearances in the majors, slashing .310/.333/.345 with a palatable 25 percent strikeout rate. He's made his largest impact on the basepaths (three steals in three attempts) and on defense. If the Phillies commit to Rojas as a full-time player in the outfield, it would allow the team to deploy Brandon Marsh at a corner spot and move either Kyle Schwarber or Nick Castellanos -- both defensive liabilities -- to designated hitter.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another start Tuesday Rojas is starting in center field and batting ninth Tuesday versus the Orioles.

Impact It's the second straight start for Rojas, who had two singles and two stolen bases Monday. His high-level speed could offer intrigue in fantasy if he continues to carve out more playing time in the Philadelphia outfield. Jake Cave is on the bench Tuesday and Brandon Marsh is in left field.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes two bags Rojas went 2-for-4 with a pair of steals in Monday's loss to Baltimore.

Impact Rojas showed off his wheels in his first start since July 18, adding two steals to improve to 3-for-3 on attempts this season. The 22-year-old rookie also tallied his second multi-hit game since he was recalled earlier this month -- he's now 5-for-15 with a .666 OPS through his first 16 big-league plate appearances. Rojas will likely continue to fill a bench role in Philly.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench role Rojas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Rojas made three starts in center field during the Phillies' series with the Padres over the weekend, but he's found himself on the bench for the first two games of the series versus the Brewers while Milwaukee has brought right-handed starting pitchers to the hill Tuesday and Wednesday. He looks like he'll be limited to a short-side platoon role in the Philadelphia outfield while Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos are all healthy and available.

JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shows off glove and legs in debut Rojas went 0-for-3 in his MLB debut Saturday against the Padres but added a steal and an outfield assist.

Impact Rojas' glove and legs are ahead of his bat at this stage of his career, but he was called up straight from Double-A Reading nonetheless to fill Cristian Pache's role on the small side of a platoon in center field while Pache battles elbow troubles. Rojas made an impact before his first plate appearance, tracking down a Fernando Tatis Jr. flyball at the wall and doubling off Ha-Seong Kim as he tried to retreat to first base. He didn't do much at the plate, striking out once and hitting a pair of groundouts, but he did manage to steal second in the fifth inning after reaching on a fielder's choice. He'll remain in the lineup for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader, again batting ninth and starting in center.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies Rookie Makes Dazzling Double Play in MLB Debut Johan Rojas made his first MLB start for the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday and his first play turned out to be a double play.

JULY 15, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Summoned from Double-A Rojas was recalled from Double-A Reading on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Rojas was added to the Phillies' 40-man roster over the offseason and has had a breakout year at the plate with Reading, batting .306/.361/.484 with nine home runs and 30 stolen bases. He can play all three outfield spots and should fill the role vacated by Cristian Pache as the short-side platoon in center field with Brandon Marsh. It figures to be a short stay for Rojas, who seems likely to head back to the minors when Pache returns from the injured list.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heading back to Double-A Rojas was optioned to Double-A Reading on Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Impact Rojas was in big-league camp with the Phillies after being added to the 40-man roster in November, but he never had much of a chance of cracking the club's Opening Day roster. The 22-year-old will return to Reading, where he had a .264/.339/.394 slash line with four home runs and 29 steals in 59 games last season.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE