Rojas had considered retiring throughout the season. As recently as September 30, he had left open the possibility of playing again in 2027, telling MLB.com that any return would have to be with the Dodgers. After Thursday’s loss, he made the decision final.
His next role is already part of his arrangement with the club. When Rojas signed his one-year contract for 2026, he agreed to move into player development once his playing career ended. The exact job title has yet to be finalized, according to MLB.com.
Rojas made his Major League debut with the Dodgers in 2014, then spent eight seasons with Miami before returning to Los Angeles in 2023. He finished with 1,401 regular-season games and a .260 batting average, according to Sportsnet.
He won World Series championships with Los Angeles in 2024 and 2025. His ninth-inning, game-tying home run in Game 7 against Toronto last year helped keep the Dodgers’ title defense alive before they won the championship.
In his second stint with Los Angeles, Rojas also became a mentor for Mookie Betts as Betts moved into the infield. Betts credited him after Thursday’s game with watching his work, helping him learn and holding the team accountable. Freddie Freeman said he had hoped the Dodgers could win Rojas a third championship.
Rojas’ farewell to the clubhouse centered on thanking the people around him. He told reporters that the organization had changed his life and that he wanted to continue helping it in a different role.
Sources