Dave Roberts is giving Miguel Rojas one more meaningful moment in Miami.
The Dodgers manager said Rojas will start on Sunday, September 13th, against the Marlins, a move that sets up what could be an emotional farewell in a place that once defined a big chunk of his career.
“He’ll start tomorrow… For that reason. I talked to him about it; he’s excited, and I’m excited to have him in there tomorrow,” Roberts said.
Rojas had not appeared in this series against Miami, with Alex Freeland handling all of the second-base looks while the Marlins used two different right-handed pitchers. Even with another righty on the mound, Roberts is choosing to give Rojas the nod.
That decision fits the way the Dodgers have handled him all season. Rojas has been used far more often against left-handed pitching than right-handed pitching, with 147 plate appearances versus lefties and only 76 against righties.
The split tells the story. Against lefties, Rojas has produced a .299/.340/.463 line. Against right-handers, he has hit just .215/.257/.246.
Still, this game carries a different kind of weight for Rojas. He has said this is likely his final season as a major league player, and Roberts is making sure he gets a start in Miami.
The connection runs deep. Rojas spent 2015 to 2022 with the Marlins, appearing in 870 games in Miami. He also has a home there, so this is more than just another stop on the schedule.
Before becoming known as a Dodger, Rojas was a steady presence for Miami, an elite defensive shortstop who could move around the infield when needed and eventually grew into a key voice in the clubhouse.
His career path has come full circle, too. Rojas originally came up through the Dodgers’ system, was traded to the Marlins in the deal that brought Kike Hernandez and Austin Barnes to Los Angeles, and then returned to the Dodgers after eight years.
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