Dodgers' Miguel Rojas Cherishes Final Season Opener as 'Uncle Miggy'

Veteran infielder starts opening day in what he says will be his last MLB season.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:35am

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In his final MLB season, veteran Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas started on opening day, helping the team defeat the Diamondbacks 8-2. Rojas, who plans to retire after this year, embraced the moment and said he hopes to enjoy his final season as much as teammate Clayton Kershaw did in his last year.

Why it matters

Rojas has been a key contributor to the Dodgers' success over the years, including helping the team win the 2025 World Series. His retirement will mark the end of an era, and the Dodgers are honoring his final season by giving him the opening day start.

The details

Rojas was informed by manager Dave Roberts that he would be starting on opening day, a decision Rojas said he was "speechless" about. Rojas rode onto the field on a convertible, holding the 2025 World Series trophy, alongside Freddie Freeman and Will Ferrell. In the game, Rojas went 1-for-4 with a run scored as the Dodgers rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to win 8-2.

  • The Dodgers opened their 2026 season on March 27, 2026.

The players

Miguel Rojas

A veteran infielder for the Dodgers who is retiring after the 2026 season.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Freddie Freeman

A star player for the Dodgers who won the 2024 World Series with the team.

Will Ferrell

A famous actor and comedian who appeared at the Dodgers' opening day ceremony.

Clayton Kershaw

A future Hall of Fame pitcher for the Dodgers who retired a year before Rojas.

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What they’re saying

“It was a gift to myself because of all the hard work and the preparation I put in throughout my whole career. This way is the best way possible because I got up to the big leagues as a utility defensive replacement who can play shortstop but couldn't really hit much.”

— Miguel Rojas

“This means a lot to him, his family and to the Dodger fans. And also, most importantly, I think he's a great option for today. All in, it was the right decision.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

“My wife and my kids call him Uncle Kersh because of the joy he had throughout the year. He was really happy all year. He wasn't really caught up in numbers or stats. He was just enjoying his time. I really wish I can do a little bit of what he did last year. I hope I can enjoy it as much as he did last year.”

— Miguel Rojas

What’s next

Rojas will continue to split time at second base with Alex Freeland and eventually Tommy Edman as he plays out his final MLB season with the Dodgers.

The takeaway

Rojas' final opening day start is a celebration of his long and successful career with the Dodgers, including helping the team win the 2025 World Series. His transition to a player development role next year will mark the end of an era, but the Dodgers are ensuring Rojas can cherish his final season as 'Uncle Miggy'.