Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Miguel Rojas (baseball)

How Miguel Rojas (baseball) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Miguel Rojas is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB. He previously played for the Miami Marlins. Notably, in 2025, Rojas achieved a unique feat by becoming the first MLB player to hit a game-tying home run in the 9th inning or later of a World Series Game 7, marking a significant moment in his career and baseball history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2006: Signed by Cincinnati Reds

In 2006, Rojas was signed by the Cincinnati Reds organization as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela.

2007: Played in Venezuelan and Dominican Summer Leagues

In 2007, Rojas played for the Cincinnati Reds' affiliates in the Venezuelan Summer League and Dominican Summer League.

2008: Moved to Pioneer Baseball League

In 2008, the Reds moved Rojas to their domestic affiliate in the rookie-class Pioneer Baseball League, where he hit .183 in 61 games.

2009: Played for Dayton Dragons

In 2009, Rojas played for the Class-A Dayton Dragons in the Reds' farm system.

2009: Played for Tiburones de La Guaira

Since 2009, Rojas has played for Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League during the offseason.

2010: Played for Lynchburg Hillcats and Carolina Mudcats

In 2010, Rojas played for the Advanced-A Lynchburg Hillcats and the Double-A Carolina Mudcats in the Reds' farm system.

2011: Played for Carolina Mudcats

In 2011, Rojas played for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats in the Reds' farm system.

2012: Signed with Los Angeles Dodgers

After the 2012 season, Rojas became a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

2012: Played for Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Louisville Bats

In 2012, Rojas played for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Triple-A Louisville Bats in the Reds' farm system.

2012: Played in Caribbean Series

In 2012, Rojas played in the Caribbean Series as part of Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League.

2013: Played for Chattanooga Lookouts

In 2013, Rojas spent the season with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double–A Southern League, where he hit .233 in 130 games.

June 6, 2014: MLB Debut

On June 6, 2014, Rojas was promoted to the major leagues by the Dodgers and made his debut as a late-inning defensive replacement.

December 10, 2014: Traded to Miami Marlins

On December 10, 2014, Rojas was traded by the Dodgers to the Miami Marlins, along with Dee Gordon and Dan Haren, in exchange for Andrew Heaney, Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes, and Enrique "Kiké" Hernández.

2014: Played for Dodgers

During the 2014 regular season, Rojas hit .181 with one home run and nine runs batted in in 85 games. On June 18, 2014, he made a difficult defensive play to preserve a no-hitter thrown by Clayton Kershaw.

2014: Invited to Major League Spring Training

In 2014, Rojas received a non-roster invite to Major League spring training with the Dodgers and was later assigned to the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, where he hit .302 in 51 games.

2015: Played for Miami Marlins

In 2015, Rojas batted .282 with one home run and 17 runs batted in across 142 at-bats in 60 games for the Miami Marlins.

2017: Played for the Miami Marlins

In 2017, Rojas missed 62 games due to a broken thumb, but still appeared in 90 games, hitting for a .290.361/.375 batting line in 272 at-bats. Rojas also led all NL shortstops in September and October of 2017 with a .354 batting average and .948 on-base plus slugging average.

2018: Set Career Highs

In 2018, Rojas set career-highs in nearly every offensive category; games played (153), runs (44), hits (123), home runs (11), runs batted in (53), and stolen bases (6).

September 23, 2019: Signed Contract with Marlins

On September 23, 2019, Rojas agreed to a new two-year contract with the Marlins, worth $10.25 million.

July 2020: Tested Positive for COVID-19 and Partnered with Stadium Custom Kicks

In late July 2020, Rojas tested positive for COVID-19. During the 2020 season, Rojas partnered with Stadium Custom Kicks, branding the partnership as Miggy's Locker, allowing him to design custom-made cleats. Rojas got into a verbal altercation with rookie Jazz Chisholm Jr. after Rojas ruined multiple custom made cleats that belonged to Chisholm, cutting them with scissors and pouring milk in them.

October 28, 2021: Signed Contract Extension with Marlins

On October 28, 2021, the Marlins signed Rojas to a two-year contract extension worth $10 million.

January 11, 2023: Traded Back to Dodgers

On January 11, 2023, Rojas was traded back to the Dodgers in exchange for Jacob Amaya.

2023: Started at Shortstop for the Dodgers

In 2023, Rojas wound up the starting shortstop when Gavin Lux went down with a season ending knee injury in spring training. He played in 124 games, batting .236. He had two hits in six at-bats in the 2023 NLDS.

2024: Rojas' 2024 Season

In 2024, Lux returned but moved to second base and Betts took over at shortstop, leaving Rojas as a utility player. He returned to short when Betts was hurt and went on the injured list at the end of July with right forearm inflammation and returned August 7. For the 2024 season, Rojas batted .283 in 103 games and won the Roy Campanella Award. He started at shortstop for the Dodgers to begin the 2024 NLDS, and had two hits in eight at-bats over the first three games of the series. However, he aggravated a leg injury and did not play in the rest of the series. Rojas returned to the roster for the 2024 World Series, but only played in Game 2. He collected his first World Series championship when the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games. After the season, the Dodgers picked up his contract option for the 2025 season.

2024: Signed Contract Extension with Dodgers

In February 2024, the Dodgers announced a contract extension with Rojas that would pay him $5 million for 2024 and included a $5 million club option for 2025.

December 5, 2025: Re-Signed with Dodgers and Announced Retirement

On December 5, 2025, the Dodgers re-signed Rojas to a one-year, $5.5 million contract. Rojas also announced that 2026 would be his final season as a player and he would remain with the Dodgers in a front office role after the season.

2025: Dodgers Picked Up Contract Option

After the 2024 season, the Dodgers picked up Rojas' contract option for the 2025 season.

2025: Rojas' 2025 Season and Jersey Number Switch

As part of the team's pursuit of Roki Sasaki, Rojas switched his jersey number from 11 to 72, the number he first wore as a rookie with the team. He played in 114 games for the Dodgers in 2025 and batted .262 with seven home runs and 27 runs batted in.

2025: Game-Tying Home Run in World Series Game 7

In 2025, Miguel Rojas became the first player in MLB history to hit a game-tying home run in the 9th inning or later of a World Series Game 7.

2025: 2025 Postseason

In the 2025 postseason, after not playing in the first five games of the World Series, Rojas was inserted into the starting lineup for Games 6 and 7. In Game 6 he made a tough catch at second base to help turn the game-ending double play. In Game 7, he hit a game-tying home run off of Jeff Hoffman in the ninth inning and made a defensive stop to prevent the Toronto Blue Jays from scoring a series-winning run. The Dodgers won the deciding game in the 11th inning.

2025: Contract Option

The contract extension with the Dodgers signed in February 2024, included a $5 million club option for 2025.

2026: Announcement to Retire after 2026 Season

After the 2025 National League Division Series (NLDS), Rojas announced he would retire from professional baseball following the 2026 season.

2026: Final Season

In December 5, 2025, Rojas announced that 2026 would be his final season as a player and he would remain with the Dodgers in a front office role after the season.