Rojas injury leaves middle-infield questions

CHICAGO -- The D-backs are still evaluating whether infielder Josh Rojas will need to go on the injured list after he sustained a dislocated left pinkie in Wednesday's win over the Pirates.

"This is a very thorough process," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "I know it's been a couple of days, but you know with each day moving forward, I think we'll get more clarity, and we'll get to the bottom of it here very soon."

Rojas had primarily been playing second base this year, and the D-backs have plenty of other options there in Josh VanMeter, Andrew Young and Eduardo Escobar.

But Rojas was also the D-backs' backup shortstop behind Nick Ahmed, and that role is a little more challenging to fill.

Young, VanMeter and Escobar are the main candidates to be the backup shortstop in Rojas' absence, though the three have less time there recently.

Third-base coach and infield instructor Tony Perezchica spent time working with all three at the position during batting practice Friday afternoon.

"When you play shortstop, you've got to field everything with your body moving," Perezchica said. "You don’t have as much time as you do at second. Besides third base, that's one of the deepest positions out there. You've got to get to a backhand, you've got to get to a forehand and really create the right angle when you do."

While Perezchica was hitting the trio grounders, Ahmed, who owns a pair of Gold Gloves, was out there talking with them.

"He's just trying to add a little something to help these guys get acclimated over there," Perezchica said. "Hopefully whatever it is with Josh is a quick recovery and he's back soon. If not, we need to find someone who can do it."