Mookie Betts exited as we speak’s 10-5 Dodgers win over the Nationals in the midst of the primary inning on account of what the group introduced as ache within the shortstop’s proper decrease again space. Within the prime of the primary, Betts walked and later scored on Freddie Freeman‘s two-run double, however the run across the basepaths apparently aggravated one thing in his again. Miguel Rojas took over at shortstop for the underside of the body.
Postgame, supervisor Dave Roberts informed reporters (together with The Athletic’s Katie Woo) that Betts would endure an MRI to find out the extent of the damage. Whatever the check outcomes, Betts will miss at the very least the following couple of video games to recuperate, and Roberts mentioned they’ll have one other participant readily available in Washington for tomorrow’s recreation simply in case Betts is positioned on the injured checklist.
Whereas extra can be identified as soon as the MRI is accomplished, Roberts described Betts’ situation as “extra reasonable than important.” It subsequently appears potential that Betts may be again in motion after only a few days off. The Dodgers don’t play on Thursday, so the group may doubtlessly maintain Betts out till Friday to totally consider his scenario, although golf equipment can solely backdate an IL placement by as many as three days. An IL stint may be within the offing simply to be cautious, as Los Angeles’ precedence is clearly to maintain the eight-time All-Star as wholesome as potential for the total season and what the Dodgers count on to be one other journey to the World Sequence.
Betts received his third ring with L.A. (and the fourth of his profession) in 2025, although his offensive contributions had been far more muted than regular. Betts posted a career-low 104 wRC+ whereas hitting .258/.326/.406 with 20 homers over 663 plate appearances, although he made up for this comparatively modest manufacturing with spectacular defensive in his first full 12 months because the Dodgers’ shortstop.
A flu-like virus within the early a part of the season after which a minor toe fracture in Might (that didn’t require an IL stint) could have contributed to Betts’ lack of hitting in 2025, although the restricted offense has carried into the early a part of the 2026 season. Via as we speak’s recreation with the Nats, Betts is hitting .179/.281/.429 with two residence runs in 32 PA.
Even with Betts not heating up but, the Dodgers are nonetheless 6-2 and look nicely on their method to one other playoff look. Whereas Betts is out (for any size of time), Rojas and Alex Freeland will fill in at shortstop. Hyeseong Kim is the likeliest candidate to be referred to as up from Triple-A within the occasion of a Betts IL placement, as Kim would be a part of Santiago Espinal because the utility infield choices.
