Miguel Rojas Confirms Dodgers’ White House Attendance Amid Teammate Opt‑Outs

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 16: Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks out from the dugout during a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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The Los Angeles Dodgers’ upcoming visit to the White House has reignited debate among local fans who oppose the decision, while drawing support from President supporters nationwide.

White House visits to honor World Series champions are a long-standing tradition, and the Dodgers have announced they will commemorate their title for the third time since 2020. Their most recent trip, however, sparked controversy, with notable calls to boycott President Trump’s invitation and a veteran player’s decision to sit out.

The upcoming trip already features at least one notable absence due to injury and another player likely to miss it for personal reasons. In contrast, a third veteran confirmed he will attend both the White House ceremony and follow‑up events in Washington, D.C.

Miguel Rojas Confirms Dodgers’ White House Attendance Amid Teammate Opt‑Outs

Miguel Rojas has confirmed that he will attend the White House visit, announcing his decision shortly after teammate Kike Hernandez revealed that he would not be joining the trip.

Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas, a Venezuelan native, said he will attend the White House visit and will also be part of a Dodgers delegation that will tour Capitol Hill that day, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Rojas’s decision came shortly after Hernandez allegedly posted and then deleted an Instagram reply indicating his opt out, with Hernandez confirming the choice on Friday.

Hernandez explained that he would not attend because he expects to be on a minor‑league rehabilitation assignment, added Plunkett. The utility player is currently on the injured list with an oblique strain; a year earlier, first baseman Freddie Freeman missed the White House visit due to an ankle injury.

Rojas’s confirmation arrived shortly before teammate Mookie Betts indicated that he would likely skip the trip to spend time with his family.

Fans across the country are expected to follow the Dodgers’ visit closely, with many more veteran players likely to be asked about their attendance decisions.

Dodgers Manager Reaffirms Team’s White House Focus While Emphasizing Championship Goals

For manager Dave Roberts, the ongoing discussion about White House visits ultimately centers on one goal: winning championships.

“Honestly, like I’ve always said—my company line, my personal line—is I hope we get this invitation every year, because that’s the goal, to win a championship and get this invitation to the White House,” Roberts said on Friday, according to The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner.

Roberts’s remarks highlight the organization’s view that the tradition is secondary to the overarching objective, regardless of individual player attendance. Nonetheless, decisions by specific players will continue to attract public scrutiny each season, even as the Dodgers keep their focus on securing another championship and defending their National League title.

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