Dodgers Infielder Responds To Jazz Chisholm Criticism

As if there hasn't been enough drama around the Los Angeles Dodgers recently with the Shohei Ohtani saga, another player is now involved in a very public disagreement.

Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm spoke out recently about treatment he said he received soon after joining the league, alleging that he was essentially hazed and targeted by team veterans. Chisholm also heavily implied in that podcast interview that his former teammate Miguel Rojas was the most responsible, accusing him of not being a "good person."

READ: Jazz Chisholm Stirs Up Drama By Accusing Former Teammate Of Not Being A 'Good Person'

Rojas, now in his second season with the Dodgers, responded during an interview with Chris Rose for "The Chris Rose Rotation," and had some harsh words for Chisholm. 

"Everybody's entitled to have their own opinion," Rojas said. "Whatever you have to say about me as a player, you can have that opinion. But you saying that I'm a bad person when you don't even know me, that's kinda what bothers me." 

"I'm not expecting everybody to like me, and I don't like everybody, but that doesn't mean that I can go out there and tell everybody what's happening in the clubhouse," Rojas continued. "As a professional, you have to understand that you have to respect everybody that is in that clubhouse." 

"When you come to a place and you get to a new place, there are people there that have been there before you. There's rules in place and someone is gonna keep you accountable."

Jupiter, Fla. - Miami Marlins center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. singles against the Washington Nationals in the second inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Feb. 25. (Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports)

Who's Right In The Rojas-Chisholm Disagreement?

The disconnect between Rojas and Chisholm isn't surprising in modern baseball; veterans and rookies have frequently not seen eye to eye when it comes to clubhouse conduct.  

Chisholm came across in his interview like he expected the veterans to let him do what he wanted because he was widely expected to be the future of the Marlins organization. And Rojas and other veterans likely had embraced a "no one is above the team" philosophy. 

And there's valid points on both sides. Subjecting rookies to legitimate hazing doesn't accomplish much in terms of maturity and dedication, but can often breed resentment and frustration. But if Rojas and other vets noticed lack of punctuality, commitment or effort, which are all frequent issues for younger players, they'd view it as their responsibility to inform Chisholm that he needs to fix those issues if he wants to fulfill his potential.

It's hard to stick around in MLB, something any veteran will tell you, regardless of talent. And Rojas has been a very popular figure in the Dodgers clubhouse. It's a classic case of he said-he said, but with former Marlins executives publicly defending him at Chisholm's expense, Rojas may not have been worthy of the Chisholm's criticisms.