Dodgers' Miguel Rojas plays through family tragedy

Rojas requested to be in the lineup after learning of his father's passing

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the intense motion and emotion of a baseball player, with sharp geometric planes of color and form obscuring the player's face but conveying the energy and drama of the moment.Rojas plays through personal tragedy, his raw emotion and determination reflected in the cubist deconstruction of his on-field actions.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas is playing in Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, despite learning of his father's death on Tuesday. Rojas approached manager Dave Roberts and asked to be in the lineup, wanting to be with his teammates as he grieves his personal loss.

Why it matters

Rojas is a beloved figure in Los Angeles after his heroic performance in the 2025 World Series, and his decision to play through this family tragedy will surely inspire his teammates and the Dodgers fanbase. The team is showing support for Rojas during this difficult time.

The details

Rojas was a late scratch from the Dodgers' lineup on Tuesday after learning of his father Miguel Rojas Sr.'s passing. However, Rojas requested to play in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, telling manager Dave Roberts that he wanted to be with the team as he works through his personal loss.

  • Rojas learned of his father's death on Tuesday.
  • Rojas is playing in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

The players

Miguel Rojas

A Los Angeles Dodgers infielder who is playing in Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays despite learning of his father's death the previous day.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who said he expects Rojas to take leave at some point but respected his request to play in Wednesday's game.

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What they’re saying

“Dave Roberts said he does expect Miguel Rojas to go on leave at some point following the passing of his father, but said Rojas approached him and said he wanted to be in the lineup today.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

Rojas is expected to take a leave of absence from the team at some point to grieve his father's passing, but he wanted to be with his teammates for Wednesday's game.

The takeaway

Rojas' decision to play through his personal tragedy shows his dedication to the Dodgers and his desire to honor his father's memory by contributing to the team's success. The Dodgers organization is supporting Rojas during this difficult time.