Marlins Miguel Rojas deals with rib injury

Miami Marlins veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas is dealing with a rib injury that took him out of the middle of the team’s 1-0 shutout loss to the Rays on Wednesday night.

The last thing the Miami Marlins need is their veterans going down with injuries for any significant length of time. The team is hoping the rib issue that shortstop Miguel Rojas is dealing with will not keep him out of the lineup. He is listed as day-to-day, the Marlins announced after leaving Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay at Marlins Park.

If the injury keeps Rojas out of the lineup for longer than expected, it could open the door for the return of J.T. Riddle from Triple-A New Orleans.

Rojas suffered the injury the same day the team learned that relief pitcher Drew Steckenrider will need rest to heal a flexor strain he suffered in his right elbow. The reliever met with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday and appears to have avoided surgery to repair any damage done.

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Per MLB.com, the Marlins are calling what Rojas is experiencing as back spasms. He left the game after the fourth inning of Wednesday night’s loss, the seventh in a row for the franchise this season and the ninth shutout for Miami.

Rojas told the media following the game it wasn’t anything to be concerned about.

“Nothing serious,” Rojas said. “I don’t think it’s muscular or anything, or something that is going to keep me from playing. I feel one of my ribs went out of place. Every time I get it adjusted, I feel fine.”

After he left the game, Jon Berti filled in at shortstop for the remainder of the game. His steady play was the reason the Marlins sent Riddle to New Orleans to get him more at bats and to work on his inconsistencies at the plate.

The two-game sweep by the Rays continues to illustrate how inept the Marlins have been at the plate. Per Joe Frisaro, “The Marlins were blanked in both games and now have been shut out nine times. They’ve not homered during their losing streak, and they have 10 doubles, including one from Curtis Granderson and two by Jorge Alfaro on Wednesday. They’ve been held scoreless in 24 straight innings.”

Miguel Rojas had two plate appearances on Wednesday night, getting one of the team’s seven hits. He is now batting .242 for the season through 38 games. The Marlins are off today before they begin a series with the New York Mets at home on Friday.