Longtime Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas announces retirement

[Ely Sussman]

Miguel Rojas said this spring that he planned on making the 2026 season the final one of his playing career. He stuck to his word Thursday night when his Los Angeles Dodgers were swept out of the National League Championship Series, telling reporters postgame that "this is it."

Always dismissed during his minor league days as a low-ceiling player, Rojas remarkably spent parts of 13 seasons in the majors. He debuted with the Dodgers in 2014 and didn't hit a lick during his 85-game rookie campaign, but his production perked up after an offseason trade to the Miami Marlins. He played eight seasons with them and spent most of 2018-22 as the club's starting shortstop.

Rojas ranks seventh in franchise history with 870 games played and second with 27 outs above average (the latter erat has only been tracked since 2016, but still).

In addition to his contact ability and steady glovework, the Marlins valued Rojas' intangibles. He twice signed contract extensions with the Fish. No other position player has been extended since then.

The Marlins sent Rojas to the Dodgers in January 2023 in exchange for Jacob Amaya. That proved to be a lopsided deal, as even though Rojas' role shrank in LA, he was perfectly suited for it. The Dodgers used Rojas as utility player, finding reps for him all around their infield, particularly against left-handed pitching.

The signature moment of Rojas' career came during the 2025 World Series when the then-36-year-old stepped to the plate in the ninth inning of Game 7, with the Dodgers trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by a run. He saved their season by hitting a game-tying solo home run off Jeff Hoffman. The Dodgers took the lead in extras and clinched back-to-back championships.

Overall, Rojas accrued 15.3 fWAR in his career and earned more than $40 million.

Fish On First wishes “Miggy Ro” all the best in the next phase of his life.

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[David Slaton]

Thank you for this article Ely! Congratulations to Miguel on his great career! Do you think that he will make the Marlins Hall of Fame?

[Hippyboi]

Yes on the Marlins Hall of Fame. I hope he comes back and joins the coaching staff.