Miguel Rojas Beat Mental Demons With Help of Kiké Hernandez
· Yahoo Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers fans will never forget Miguel Rojas’ ninth-inning home run to tie Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, but just months before, he didn’t even think he’d be a Dodger much longer.
As Rojas detailed to Katie Woo of The Athletic, longtime Dodgers Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor were designated for assignment in late May, prompting Rojas to doubt himself and his future in baseball.
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“Rojas, underperforming and relegated to a 26-man role, figured he was next,” Woo wrote.
Miguel Rojas turned it around with the help of a teammate
Fortunately for Rojas, another longtime Dodger had been through a similar situation just the year before: Kiké Hernandez.
So on June 5, Hernandez invited Rojas to have a drink and talk.
Aug 9, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (11) is congratulated by third baseman Kiké Hernandez (8) as they head off the field after a play in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SportsThe pair of beloved Dodgers shared a few drinks — and a few tears — on Rojas’ hotel balcony ahead of a series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“I wanted to change the mentality, because if he didn’t, he was going to be on the way out,” Hernández explained to Woo. “Not because it was going to happen, but because he was going to do that to himself. I basically told him, ‘I’ve been where you are right now, and it’s not a good way to live. If you put a stop to it, and you say the season starts tomorrow and that’s the mentality you bring in each and every day, you’re going to be much more enjoyable.’”
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That conversation changed Rojas’ outlook and ultimately saved his career, he told Woo.
“I got to the point where this year is more of I know my role, I know when I’m going to be playing, I know who I’m going to be facing,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s about the team. And I couldn’t really care less about what I do this season, I just care how the organization is doing.”
Is 2026 really going to be Miguel Rojas’ last season?
While Rojas has publicly stated that this will be his last season in baseball, recent reports indicate that decision could change if the Dodgers become the first team to three-peat in nearly 30 years.
Do you think Miguel Rojas will stick around for another year?