World Series hero Rojas rejoins Dodgers on 1-year, $5.5 million deal

The Dodgers and veteran infielder Miguel Rojas reunited on a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Thursday.

Rojas, who hit the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of World Series Game 7 that set the table for the Dodgers to repeat as champions, has said that the 2026 season will be his last in the big leagues. He was open about his desire to return to Los Angeles, with whom he made his Major League debut in 2014, for his final year.

An unlikely Fall Classic hero, Rojas started the final two games of the World Series at second base after more than three weeks of not being in the starting lineup. With the Dodgers down to their final two outs, he saved the season with an improbable solo homer off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman that ultimately allowed L.A. to win in 11 innings and secure the ninth championship in franchise history.

Primarily serving in a bench role, Rojas hit .262 with 18 doubles and 27 RBIs in 114 games. He played quality defense at second base, third base and shortstop, resulting in his being a finalist for the NL utility Gold Glove that was won by Miami's Javier Sanoja.

Since being traded from the Marlins ahead of the 2023 season, Rojas has given the Dodgers around league-average offensive production to go with his reliable defense, but his greatest value may come in the clubhouse. Rojas became a team leader in his second stint in L.A., extending his value far beyond what he does on the field.

Rojas has served as a mentor for Dodgers star Mookie Betts, who leaned on the veteran in his transition to shortstop. In his first full season at the position, Betts was also a Gold Glove finalist, and he gave Rojas some credit for his growth as a defender.

"It's different when you have a coach, but when you have a teammate that's actually out there, I can ask him questions during the game, in between pitches," Betts said in October. "Somebody who always has an answer, always gives you his best every day. I couldn't ask for anything better than having Miggy Ro. And he's really responsible for a lot of my mental successes this year, for sure."

For an idea of the impact Rojas has had on his Dodgers teammates, look no further than their reactions after his Game 7 home run.

"It couldn’t have been a better guy," third baseman Max Muncy said.

"When you play the game right, treat people right, are the teammate like Miguel is … the game honors you," first baseman Freddie Freeman said.

Rojas is the first of the Dodgers' free agents from the 2025 World Series team to be brought back. The club previously exercised options on Muncy and reliever Alex Vesia. Utility man Kiké Hernández, who is a free agent, and reliever Evan Phillips, who was non-tendered, are candidates to return, although neither will be ready for the beginning of the 2026 season due to injury and may be more likely to re-sign once the 60-day injured list opens at the beginning of Spring Training.