Shortly after completing a trade to reunite with Miguel Rojas, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed the veteran shortstop to a one-year, $6 million contract extension.
The deal included a $5 million team option or $1 million buyout for the 2025 season. That had Rojas, Austin Barnes and Clayton Kershaw as players with contract options heading into next year. Though, only Kershaw’s was a player option.
Monday represented the deadline for teams and players to make such decisions.
According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers exercised their $5 million option on Rojas to keep him under contract for next season:
Source confirms that the Dodgers are picking up Miguel Rojas’ player option for next year of $5 million, as @AriA1exander reported
He’ll return for the third year of what has been his second stint with the club, after batting .283 this year despite some injuries
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) November 3, 2024
Rojas remaining with the Dodgers was widely expected. He put together a resurgent offensive season and established himself as a valued clubhouse leader.
Rojas’ improved production at the plate was certainly needed this season as the Dodgers lost Mookie Betts for multiple months because of a left hand fracture.
It created a void at shortstop that Rojas was able to help fill. But that may have also come at a cost as the 35-year-old dealt with a left adductor injury that ultimately became a sports hernia.
The Dodgers made an effort to manage Rojas’ workload throughout the year and largely were successful in doing so until late in the season. Their initial plan was to have him filling a utility role off the bench.
Rojas finished the year batting .283/.337/.410 with 21 doubles, six home runs and 36 RBI over 103 games. He presumably will primarily play off the bench in 2025 as the Dodgers have Tommy Edman to play shortstop, or will address the position through a new addition.
Miguel Rojas needs surgery
After aggravating his injury during the National League Division Series, Rojas was left off the Dodgers roster for the Championship Series. He returned for the World Series but only played in Game 2, because the New York Yankees started Carlos Rodón.
“It’s a sports hernia surgery, so I have to get it repaired,” Rojas said of his offseason outlook.
“I’m going to get in contact with the doctor in Philadelphia. He did it to Kiké Hernandez this last offseason, Starling Marte from the Mets. I talked to Derek Jeter a couple weeks ago, he had it.
“I’ve been talking to people who had this surgery before a little bit and trying to touch base. But I need surgery as soon as it’s possible.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
