Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas and Edgardo Henriquez keep close ties to Venezuela as earthquake news unfolds

Two massive earthquakes rocked Venezuela on Wednesday, and for two Dodgers players with roots in the country, the day carried an added layer of worry away from the ballpark. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register spoke with Miguel Rojas and Edgardo Henriquez as they tracked updates from afar, with both players reporting that family members were safe in the aftermath.

Rojas, a long-time veteran infielder for Los Angeles, said the first priority was confirming where his loved ones were and whether they had what they needed during a chaotic period. In the account relayed by Plunkett, Rojas described the reassurance of getting family to safety in a place where they had power and connection, underscoring how modern communication can still be fragile in a disaster moment.

Henriquez, the Dodgers’ right-handed reliever, likewise reflected on the personal side of the news. Plunkett reported that Henriquez has relatives in Venezuela and, after the earthquakes, was able to check in and learn they were safe. For a bullpen pitcher, the emotional whiplash of bad news can be just as present as it is for anyone else, even while preparing for the next inning.

The stories from Rojas and Henriquez also show how MLB rosters are built with ties that extend well beyond spring training facilities and team travel routes. Both players have careers in the United States, but their identities as professional athletes are intertwined with family networks that can be reached only through timing, report strength, and the availability of reliable information.

For Dodgers fans, the most immediate impact is not on the standings but on how the organization’s daily life can be shaped by events across the map. The earthquakes’ timing, occurring during the regular season, places the players in a routine that is designed for repetition and control, while the humanitarian reality is unpredictable. Even when family is safe, the mental task of monitoring developments and checking on loved ones can linger.

There is also a broader point for the sport. Baseball frequently requires long stretches of travel and focus, and players can go days without seeing the same people twice. When a major crisis hits a player’s home country, it compresses distance into hours, pulling family logistics, phone calls, and updates into the same window as game preparation. That tension is part of what makes these reflections resonate beyond the box score.