Johan Rojas News: Starting in center field Sunday

Rojas (quadriceps) will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A last year after the Phillies acquired Harrison Bader at the trade deadline, and a subsequent quad injury kept Rojas from being an option in the postseason. Although heralded for his outfield defense, he has struggled offensively in the big leagues with a .633 OPS in 699 plate appearances. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has already said that he envisions a starting outfield consisting of Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford and Adolis Garcia to begin 2026, but Rojas could provide a short-side platoon partner for Marsh in left field or Crawford in center.