The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their infield depth by acquiring Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospect Jacob Amaya.
It marks a reunion as the 33-year-old signed with the Dodgers in November 2012 and made his MLB debut two years later. Rojas famously made a terrific stop at third base to preserve Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies during the 2014 season.
Rojas was sent to the Marlins that ensuing offseason in a seven-player trade that involved Austin Barnes, Kiké Hernández and Dee Strange-Gordon, among others.
During an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, Rojas revealed that he expressed his excitement to play with Kershaw again in a text message sent to the left-hander:
“I’ve been really close to Freddie Freeman throughout my whole entire career in the National League. And then J.D. Martinez, I hit with him in the offseason. I know a lot of guys even before I got there. I just text Clayton Kershaw and I told him, ‘It’s time for me to play behind you again.’ That’s one of the things that I enjoyed the most throughout my career.”
At the conclusion of a three-game series between the Dodgers and Marlins in 2018, Rojas reflected on Kershaw’s no-hitter and how special he felt for having played a significant role in it.
Rojas had spent the past eight seasons with the Marlins, where he developed into a quality player. He experienced some decline at the plate last season — in part due to a right wrist injury that required surgery — but remains a productive hitter and owns a strong glove.
The veteran infielder was a Gold Glove Award finalist at shortstop in 2022, which went to the Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson. Rojas ranked second to Swanson with 15 Defensive Runs Saved and was fifth among all shortstops with 10 Outs Above Average.
Where does Miguel Rojas fit into Dodgers’ plans?
Rojas is a possibility for the starting shortstop job in the wake of Trea Turner signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, but he also could fill the utility role vacated by Hanser Alberto.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts have expressed confidence in Gavin Lux becoming the everyday shortstop.
The club’s decision may hinge on Rojas’ health. He underwent right wrist surgery in October to remove cartilage and could need a second procedure prior to Spring Training beginning.
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