Miguel Rojas Celebrates Last Opening Day as ‘Uncle Miggy’ in Dodgers’ Victory

Miguel Rojas learned he would start the season opener while sitting on the bench earlier this week. Manager Dave Roberts told him before the Freeway Series finale at Dodger Stadium.

Rojas said the news left him speechless. He embraced Roberts and called the start a gift for years of preparation.

Pregame celebration and honors

The Dodgers staged a full opening ceremony on Thursday. The pregame show included pyrotechnics, a stage and a blue carpet in center field.

Rojas rode onto the field atop a metallic blue convertible. He hoisted the 2025 World Series trophy while Freddie Freeman held the 2024 trophy nearby.

Actor Will Ferrell drove the car during the procession. The club also raised a banner and revealed a sign for its ninth title.

Game summary

The pitching matchup featured Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Zac Gallen. The Dodgers won 8-2 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.

The Diamondbacks struck first. Geraldo Perdomo hit a two-run homer off Yamamoto in the fourth inning.

Los Angeles rallied in the fifth. Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández opened with back-to-back groundball singles.

Andy Pages followed with a go-ahead home run into left field. Rojas added a single into shallow center and Shohei Ohtani drew a walk.

Gallen was pulled for Juan Morillo after the rally. Rojas scored later on a Will Smith single up the first-base line.

Yamamoto battled through six innings. He retired nine straight batters after the Perdomo homer and recorded six strikeouts.

The Dodgers added four runs in the seventh. The rally included Kyle Tucker’s first hit as a Dodger, an RBI double, and a two-run shot by Smith.

The bullpen finished strong and held Arizona scoreless the rest of the way. Tanner Scott induced the final out on a fly to Mookie Betts.

Key moments

• Final score: Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 2.
• Big hits: Andy Pages go-ahead homer, Will Smith two-run homer.
• Pitching: Yamamoto six innings, six strikeouts; Gallen exited in fifth.

Rojas’ farewell plans and role

This season will be Rojas’ last as a player. He plans to retire after the year and move into a player development role with the Dodgers next year.

Rojas will start the season at second base against left-handed pitchers. He is expected to platoon with Alex Freeland to begin the year and with Tommy Edman after Edman’s return from the 10-day injured list.

Rojas reflected on his career path. He said he reached the big leagues as a utility defensive replacement and battled to improve offensively.

Moments and reactions

After the final out, Rojas pointed two fingers to the sky. He then joined teammates in the traditional handshake line.

On the broadcast, Clayton Kershaw appeared on NBC in a suit. Rojas joked that he had copied Kershaw’s tan and sleeveless look.

In the Dodgers’ victory, Miguel Rojas marked his last opening day while embracing the ‘Uncle Miggy’ nickname. His family had called Kershaw “Uncle Kersh,” he said, and he now plans to adopt a similar role.

Filmogaz.com covered the opener and the team’s celebratory presentation. The day mixed ceremony, on-field success, and a farewell moment for Rojas.