The Dodgers clubhouse stayed shut for a long minute after Game 4 of the NLCS, a tough loss that ended their season. But when it finally opened, one guy was still there, in full uniform at his locker: Miguel Rojas. Wednesday, October 14, 2026, was his last game as a player, calling it quits after 13 major league seasons.
A Tough Goodbye For A True Pro
Rojas wasn’t just sitting there in his uniform; he still had his cleats on, too. You could feel the weight of the moment, hearing him say, “This is it. I’m going to move on and go to the next step of my life in the baseball world. Today was the last time I wore the uniform as a player and my cleats, it’s really hard to take them off right now.” Man, that hits different. He made it clear how much his debut back in 2014 changed everything, not just for him, but for his whole family. He said the Dodgers “took care of my son, my daughter, my wife, and everybody in my family.” That’s real talk, right there.
And he went out swinging, too. In Game 3 of the NLCS, his final two plate appearances were a single and a walk. This postseason, he faced only left-handed pitching in all seven of his plate appearances, snagging a double to go with that single and walk. All season long, against lefties, Rojas was hitting .293/.340/.469 with a 121 wRC+. He even played two innings at second base in Game 4, even though he didn’t get to bat. This guy gave it everything until the very last out.
More Than Just A Glove: Rojas’ Legacy
Rojas’s career journey was a grind. He originally signed with the Reds as a 16-year-old amateur free agent way back in 2005, then came over to the Dodgers as a minor league free agent in 2012. He made his big league debut with them in 2014, even making that crucial defensive play at third base to save Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter that year. He then spent eight seasons with the Marlins after being traded in 2014, where he became a regular.
But his return to the Dodgers in January 2023 for his final four seasons was where he really shined in a veteran role. He was everywhere: filling in at shortstop, playing all over the infield, doing whatever was asked. Remember when he helped Miguel Vargas learn second base? Or when he helped Mookie Betts transition from the outfield to shortstop? That’s leadership, plain and simple. Rojas said he wanted to be remembered as “a guy who always did everything possible to help my teammates win, and help my team get better every single day.” He wanted to change the culture, and he delivered on that promise. His legacy in the clubhouse sounds like it’s gonna be something special.
What a way to go out, still giving everything to the team, even when it’s your last night. You gotta respect that.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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