Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas spoke at a team press conference on July 5, 2026, addressing Eliézer Alfonzo's MLB debut, the crisis in Venezuela, and the emotional weight carried by Venezuelan players throughout the sport.
Rojas expressed pride in Alfonzo's composure on debut day, stating, "I'm just proud of the way that he kind of like approached everything that happened today to him." Before the game, Rojas advised Alfonzo to "try to enjoy this moment as much as you can because this is your first time and it's a special moment," adding that he remains available if needed. Rojas also noted that the debut carries meaning beyond the individual, explaining that "this is the dream of his sister, his father, his whole family and he's been working really hard to get this opportunity."
As a personal tribute to Eliézer Alfonzo Sr. — who had recently died — Rojas wrote "Fa Matatang" on his hat during the game. "I put Fa Matatang which is strong Matan which is his dad," he explained. Rojas praised Alfonzo Sr. as a legendary figure in Venezuelan baseball, saying, "he's the home run king but it's not about the player. It's about the personality and everybody love him." Rojas also mentioned that he first played against Alfonzo Sr. in 2008 during Venezuela's winter league, and last faced him in the 2024 season, his final year playing there.
Rojas acknowledged that the crisis in Venezuela has taken a significant emotional toll. "I've been in shock the last 10 days," he said, noting that his close family was in Venezuela during the crisis. He added that Venezuelan players across MLB are affected even when it is not visible: "that doesn't mean that all the Venezuelan are not like suffering this way." He also mentioned exchanging messages with Johnny Molina, who is currently in Venezuela helping people affected by the crisis. Rojas described the psychological difficulty of continuing to perform: "it's really hard to stay present and stay here connected mentally and do everything that you can to kind of like stay on the moment."
Rojas reflected on his own personal losses, noting that "the last five or six years of my career haven't been easy." He stated that he lost his grandmother while playing baseball in Venezuela, that his mother passed away from cancer before a season, and that he lost his father earlier in the year. Despite those hardships, he said he never stopped playing, explaining: "this is not just my job. this is who I am." He also acknowledged receiving support from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, stating he appreciates the help of his teammates and the organization throughout these difficult periods.