Dodgers Miguel Rojas recounts familys harrowing experience in Venezuela earthquakes

SAN DIEGO –– As the Dodgers and Padres opened their three-game series at Petco Park on Friday night, both teams had the letters “VZ” emblazoned on the side of their caps in recognition of the devastating earthquakes that rocked Venezuela this past week.For Dodgers shortstop and Venezuelan native Miguel Rojas, it was a gesture that hit frighteningly close to home.As Rojas and the Dodgers were playing in Minnesota on Wednesday night, the veteran shortstop’s wife and two kids were back in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas when a pair of 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck, causing widespread devastation right around where they were staying.Thankfully, Rojas said, all of his family members were unharmed in the shaking –– which has thus far resulted in nearly 1,000 deaths and left thousands more injured.Still, Rojas was wracked with devastated and conflicting emotions over the rest of the destruction in his home nation.“I feel selfish saying everything is okay, because everything [being] OK with my family doesn’t mean everything is OK with the country,” he said.“We’re going through really tough moments right now.

I just wish and hope everyone will pray for us because it’s devastating seeing how many families have lost everything.” California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Rojas said his immediate family members were back in Venezuela this week taking care of some personal documentation.

His wife, Mariana, was getting her passport renewed.His kids, who were both born in the United States during Rojas’ big-league career, were officially getting their Venezuelan citizenship.When the earthquakes struck, Rojas said the building they were staying in held up well enough for them to escape down a stairwell.Others in the area weren’t so fort...