Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas expressed his emotions after LA gave him the a starting spot for Opening Day.
Rojas will bat ninth in the Dodgers’ opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, and will fill in at second base for the injured Tommy Edman.
“I couldn’t stop crying yesterday and this morning, when I was watching the video the Dodgers posted,” Rojas said. “Seeing the reaction of the fans, the excitement, and then I get the nod to play Opening Day and start at second base when I’m having my last season.
“It’s really special because I always work hard to be an everyday player. Having this opportunity to be in the Opening Day lineup for the best team in the world over the last couple of years is a privilege.”
Someone had to step up for the Dodgers with Edman out as he recovers from ankle surgery, and Rojas did just that this spring. The veteran utility man slashed .362/.380/.532 with two home runs this spring, and definitely has the fans behind him following his World Series heroics in 2025.
Rojas swung the momentum in the Dodgers’ favor in Game 7 of last year’s World Series, hitting a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth to send the game to extra innings. The Dodgers obviously ended up winning the game, and Dodger fans will always consider Rojas a hero in Los Angeles.
How Has Miguel Rojas Played Since Coming Back to LA?
Rojas came back to the Dodgers ahead of the 2023 season via trade from the Miami Marlins, and has been a solid all around player for LA since.
He struggled with the bat in his first season back, posting a .612 OPS through 125 games, but found his groove in 2024. Rojas had a .747 OPS that year, marking the first season in which he had an OPS+ higher than league average while playing more than 100 games.
The infielder also had a decent 2025 season, hitting seven home runs and posting a .715 OPS—exactly league average.
Rojas’ true value comes from his glove, though, as he has placed in the Top 10% of MLB in outs above average since coming back to LA.
The veteran will look to continue producing for the Dodgers throughout the season as they chase the National League’s first ever three-peat.
How do you think Miguel Rojas will perform this year?
