Los Angeles Dodgers player Miguel Rojas returned to the lineup on Wednesday after the sudden passing of his father, Miguel Rojas Sr.
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Rojas' father passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack at his home in Venezuela on Tuesday, some time after their last communication. Miguel Sr. had sent a photo showing himself in bed and ready to watch the Dodgers play the Blue Jays.
The Dodgers then issued a brief statement ahead of Tuesday's game, saying that Rojas had been scratched from the lineup.
According to The Athletic, a family member attempted to call Rojas approximately 40 minutes before first pitch, but he did not answer. They then sent a text saying that his father had been rushed to the hospital.
The Venezuela native pushed to suit up for the game despite the family emergency. However, first baseman Freddie Freeman and manager Dave Roberts convinced him to sit out the game.
"With immense sorrow on behalf of the entire Rojas family, I must inform all those who had the privilege of knowing and spending time with my father, Miguel Rojas — known as 'Micky' — that he passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon, April 7th," Rojas wrote on his Instagram Stories, per a translation.
"I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out to me and my family to offer their love and let us know just how deeply cherished my father was throughout his life. May God welcome him into His glory, and may he rest in peace."
The team showed their support for the Rojas family. They wrote "MR" on their caps as they faced off with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Rojas' first game back in the lineup.
Miguel Sr. did not have the opportunity to see his son play for the Dodgers in person. However, the two-time World Series champion spent his winters in Venezuela playing for Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. It was with this team that Rojas won the winter ball championship.
"He lived baseball through me," Rojas said, per The Athletic. "He was never able to come to the United States to watch me play baseball in the big leagues. That's why he was one of the reasons I came back to play winter ball every offseason."
