Miguel Rojas Beat Mental Demons With Help of Kiké Hernandez
Facing a possible DFA and struggling with "mental demons," Miguel Rojas nearly walked away from the Dodgers. Discover how a heart-to-heart with Kiké Hernández saved his career and led to World Series glory.
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. “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 Sports The 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.