According to the planned timeline, veteran Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers will conclude his career after the 2026 season. Regrettably for him, the 2026 season did not conclude as the Dodgers had envisioned.
The Dodgers’ attempt at securing a third consecutive championship came to an end on Thursday with a 6-4 defeat, resulting in a sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. The Brewers made history by becoming the first team in Major League Baseball to sweep a series after being behind in all four games.
Rojas began Game 4 as the second baseman, batting in the seventh position, in what he later disclosed was the last game of his professional career. He participated in two innings of defense and was scheduled to bat in the bottom of the second when an unexpected turn of events led to him being substituted before he had the chance to hit.
Kyle Tucker opened the second inning with a single, leading the Brewers to replace left-handed opener Shane Drohan with right-hander Dustin May. May subsequently allowed another single to Teoscar Hernández.
With runners stationed on first and second, and an opportunity to capitalize, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chose to replace the right-handed Rojas with the left-handed Max Muncy, who typically plays against lefties.
This decision marked the conclusion of Rojas’ playing days. Muncy then struck out, but the Dodgers managed to score all four of their runs on a following single by Andy Pages and a homer from Shohei Ohtani.
Rojas confirmed his retirement after the game, as reported by Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times:
“This is it as a player. That was my last game played. That was the last time I put these cleats on and this uniform on as a player … I’m ready to move on and start the next chapter of my career.”
This represents a disheartening conclusion for Rojas, although the Dodgers certainly had more pressing issues at hand in an elimination game. Rojas likely recognized what was coming, given that the concept of an opener is to compel teams to remove their platoon hitters or contend with unfavorable matchups throughout the game.
However, nothing can diminish Rojas’ accomplishments as a player. Over 13 years, he distinguished himself as a defensive asset for both the Dodgers and the Miami Marlins, but his performance as a batter during the 2025 World Series will remain a notable moment in baseball history. While the Dodgers faced their final two outs in Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Rojas delivered a game-tying solo homer that pushed the game into extra innings.
Last postseason, Rojas announced his plan to retire following 2026 and opted to rejoin the Dodgers on a one-year, $5.5 million agreement. This contract included an arrangement for him to take on a player development role after his retirement.
Rojas reaffirmed that he still intends to follow through:
“From now on, I’m going to start thinking about what’s going to happen in my life as a baseball person, other than being a player. I want to start my career on the other side of this business and I’m looking forward to doing it here with the Los Angeles Dodgers.”
Rojas’ professional journey started in 2006 when he signed with the Cincinnati Reds from Venezuela. He did not make his Major League Baseball debut until eight years later, when he joined the Dodgers after signing a minor-league contract. He eventually established himself in a bench position before being traded to the Marlins in a deal that included his future teammate, Kiké Hernández, moving to Los Angeles.
