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After the 1962 season, Rojas was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for relief pitcher Jim Owens.

Although the Phillies already had an All-Star second baseman in fellow Cuban Tony Taylor, Rojas had seen the last of the minor leagues and would man second in 27 games in 1963.

Although he became the regular Phillies second baseman in 1965, Rojas would go on to play at every fielding position, including catcher and pitcher, but would see the bulk of his playing time in the outfield and shortstop in addition to second base.

Getting more playing time helped improve his batting, as Rojas hit. 291 in 1964 and a career-high. 303 in 1965, when he was named to his first All-Star team.

As a Phillie, Rojas teamed with shortstop Bobby Wine in a stellar double-play combination that media and fans began to refer as “ The Plays of Wine and Rojas ,” a takeoff of the song, The Days of Wine and Roses.