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Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas announced his retirement following the team's NLCS elimination by the Milwaukee Brewers. The 37-year-old will remain with the organization in a player development role.
Miguel Rojas announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Thursday night, immediately following the Los Angeles Dodgers' 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. The defeat ended the Dodgers' bid for a third consecutive World Series title and concluded Rojas' 13-year professional career.
Rojas, 37, confirmed his decision to reporters in the clubhouse after the game. "This is it," Rojas said. "I don’t even wanna take off my cleats right now."
According to FOX Sports, Rojas started the game and was seventh in the Dodgers lineup. He did not record an at-bat; by the time his turn came up, the starting pitcher had been replaced, and Max Muncy entered the game to pinch-hit for him. Rojas later told reporters, "This is it as a player."
The veteran infielder had previously indicated his intention to retire after the 2026 season. In a statement reported by Sporting News, Rojas said, "I'm 36 years old. It's been a wild ride. I've given it everything I've had in my four years here. Hopefully, I can finish my career here. Because I'm going to retire after next year."
Rojas began his major league career with the Dodgers in 2014 before being traded to the Miami Marlins, where he spent eight seasons. He returned to Los Angeles in 2023 and became a key contributor to the team's back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025.
His most notable moment came in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, when he hit a solo home run in the ninth inning to tie the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers eventually won that series.
Over his career, Rojas played 1,401 regular-season games and 26 postseason games. He finished with a career batting average of .260, 61 home runs, and 1,048 hits. He also won three Roy Campanella awards for his leadership in the Dodgers' clubhouse.
Rojas stated that he will remain with the Dodgers organization in a player development role. "From now on, I’m going to start thinking about what’s going to happen in my life as a baseball person," Rojas said. "I want to start my career on the other side of this business. I’m looking forward to do it here with the Los Angeles Dodgers."
He expressed gratitude to his teammates and the organization for allowing him to shape the clubhouse culture. "I feel like that is going to be a legacy that I wanted to leave here, other than my performance on the field," Rojas said. "I want them to remember me as a guy who always did everything possible to help my teammates win and to help the team get better every single day."
Rojas' retirement marks the end of an era for the Dodgers' clubhouse leadership. His transition from player to player development role signals a continued commitment to the organization's culture, while his departure leaves a void in veteran leadership as the team looks to rebuild for the 2027 season.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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