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Los Angeles Dodgers veteran Miguel Rojas is staying with the team and will not go on the bereavement list amid the passing of his father, Miguel “Mickey” Rojas Sr.
Rojas, who learned about his father’s death minutes before Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, missed just one game.
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After being scratched on Tuesday by manager Dave Roberts and first baseman Freddie Freeman, Rojas was back in the lineup on Wednesday, playing with a heavy heart.
However, Roberts said Rojas could go on bereavement leave later in the week. Rojas, however, has indeed decided to stay with the team, per the Dodgers manager.
Apr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez (0) steals second base as Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (72) mishandles a throw from Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Miguel Rojas is needed by the Dodgers
Rojas is a depth player for the Dodgers, though with starting shortstop Mookie Betts out injured, he has been a starting player for the most part.
He is typically in the second base platoon with Alex Freeland, but with Betts out, Rojas is in rotation with Hyeseong Kim at shortstop.
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The funeral for Mickey Rojas was on Wednesday, the same day as the game that Miguel Rojas played in. He could not head back in time for the proceedings, which take place the day after the person passes away in Venezuela.
Instead, Rojas made the decision to play in honor of his father.
“I decided to stay and do what my father would like me to do, which is play baseball,” Rojas said. “He’s got a first-row seat to watch me play here in this special place that brought so many memories to my family.
“My whole family did everything they could to help me get my dream of playing Major League Baseball. It wasn’t just my dream. It was their dream as well.”
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“They (gave) up everything in their life for me to be a baseball player. This is what they want me to do.”
The impact Miguel Rojas’ father had on the player
Rojas, before taking the field against the Blue Jays, highlighted what his father meant to his career and the people around him.
“Every time he read news about me being good in the community and being good around the guys — that’s what he was,” Rojas said. “He was a guy that was always there for people.
“He put other people ahead of himself and his good or benefits. He wanted to help every time. That’s what I got from him. I always want to put my teammates and the people ahead of me. I don’t really care about my personal success. I just want other people to be successful because I know if they’re good, I’ll be okay too.
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“He lived baseball through me. He was never able to come to the United States to watch me play baseball in the big leagues. That’s why he was one of the reasons I came back to play winter ball every offseason.”
As for the Dodgers, they are fully supportive of Rojas and his decision to play on Wednesday, with Dave Roberts respecting his decision to play and to stay with the team to grieve however he wants.
“For him to feel like he can go out there and play in a big-league ballgame, whether it’s a distraction, doing it in honor of his father, for whatever reason,” Roberts said. “I heard that, and I felt supportive.”
