Mookie Betts and the Dodgers: What’s Next After His Injury?
Mookie Betts to Miss Upcoming Games Due to Back Pain
WASHINGTON — Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is expected to miss at least the next two games after experiencing lower back pain during Saturday’s victory over the Nationals. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the news following the team’s 10-5 win.
“ We’ll huddle up and see if we need to get a player here to protect against us, depending on how the MRI comes [out],” Roberts stated. “But he certainly won’t be playing the next couple of days, I would assume.”
Betts had a promising start to the game, walking in his first plate appearance and scoring on a two-run double by Freddie Freeman in the first inning. Roberts noted that Betts sustained the injury while running home. Miguel Rojas subsequently took his position at shortstop.
The team scheduled an MRI scan for Betts Saturday night, with Roberts describing the injury as “more moderate than significant.” He added, “We’ll know more [Sunday].”
Entering the season fully fit, Betts had overcome challenges from the previous year, where illness affected his performance. He adopted new training methods focused on stretching and was eager to see how javelin throws would improve his throws to first base on difficult plays.
Although he had a slow start at the plate this season, Betts recorded his second home run and his first two-hit game during a 13-6 victory over the Nationals on Friday.
Roberts expressed disappointment over Betts’s injury, emphasizing the impact of his absence. “He’s a big part of what we do. Any time you miss, it’s going to take some time to kind of get your footing. So disappointed for him, but hopeful that it’s not long-term,” Roberts said.
In the short term, Rojas and Alex Freeland are expected to cover for Betts. Should a trip to the injured list be necessary, the Dodgers may recall Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he boasts a .346 batting average and a .438 on-base percentage in 32 plate appearances this season.
