Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that infielder Mookie Betts (hand) has started swinging a bat. Betts also took some ground balls back-handed before Monday's series opener against the visiting division-rival San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium at shortstop with his broken left hand. The 31-year-old All-Star has yet to actual start hitting baseballs, but that could come soon as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks. Betts was placed on the injured list back on June 17 with a fractured left hand when he was hit by a pitch. He's not going to be back for the Dodgers until sometime in August, but he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats until then. And when Betts does return, he's expected to shift from shortstop to second base, which will push Gavin Lux into a bench role for the first-place Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts (hand) played catch while using his broken left hand in the outfield before Friday's series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Betts had previously been having someone else catch the ball for him, so he's clearly made some progress from a fractured left hand. The biggest test for the 31-year-old superstar will be swinging a bat, and he's almost certainly going to need at least a short minor-league rehab assignment before he's back in the big leagues. But barring a setback as he ramps up baseball activities, Betts has a realistic chance to return atop the Dodgers' batting order in early August. And when he does return, the Dodgers have hinted that most of his playing time will come at second base in the second half of the season, which will allow the slick-fielding Miguel Rojas more playing time at the 6.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that infielder Mookie Betts (hand) has started taking soft ground balls after he had only been doing "shadow" work up until now. Betts has been on the injured list for around a month now after fracturing his hand on a hit-by-pitch. The good news is that he didn't need surgery and is improving slowly. There isn't an exact timetable for Betts' return atop the Dodgers' starting lineup in the second half of the season, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be back until sometime in August, barring a setback. And when Betts does return, it sounds like he could be moved from shortstop to second base, which would allow Miguel Rojas to see more time at the 6, while the struggling Gavin Lux would see more time on the bench. Betts needs to remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
Mookie Betts Could Play Second Base When He Returns
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he'd consider moving shortstop Mookie Betts (wrist) to second base when he comes off the injured list when he was asked if he would consider leaving Miguel Rojas at shortstop. "I don't think anyone can debate the level of shortstop play from Miguel Rojas," Roberts said. Rojas has always been a standout defensively in his career, but the 35-year-old veteran has also swung the bat well at the bottom of the order for the Blue in 2024. Rojas is currently batting .291 (44-for-151), albeit with only three home runs, 19 RBI and three stolen bases. Betts hasn't played nearly as well defensively at the 6 as Rojas has, and moving Betts to the keystone would allow the Dodgers to move the struggling Gavin Lux to the bench on a regular basis. Betts played a career-high 70 games at second base in 2023, so he's plenty familiar with the position.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts had a big night at the dish on Thursday, getting on base four times and hitting a big three-run homer to put the game out of reach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in what ended up being an 11-7 victory. Betts went 2-for-4 with a pair of walks, two runs scored, and three RBI to round out a terrific stat line. It was good to see the 31-year-old superstar have a big game, as he has been pretty pedestrian for about a month now. Even the best players go through these kinds of slumps though, and he will likely go on a hot streak soon that makes this stretch seem like a tiny blimp.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is getting the night off for Saturday's tilt against the Cincinnati Reds. This marks the first day off for Betts in the 2024 season. Miguel Rojas will be starting at shortstop in Betts' place with Gavin Lux starting at second. Shohei Ohtani will move up one spot in the lineup and hit leadoff against Reds' starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft. Betts has been playing phenomenally yet again this season and continues to be at the lead of the NL MVP race. Fantasy managers should not be concerned about Betts' absence today as this just appears to be a day of rest and comes after Betts mentioned how tough it is to play shortstop at a major league level. Expect the 31-year-old back in the lineup on Sunday against Reds starter Hunter Greene.
Mookie Betts Blasts 50th Career Leadoff Home Run Monday
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts blasted his 50th career leadoff home run in Monday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the San Francisco Giants. Including the dinger, Betts finished the night 2-for-5 with an RBI and scored two runs. The RBI was his first recorded in over a week which is hardly something to worry about when his season stat line includes seven home runs and 28 RBI with a ridiculous .341 batting average. Betts will continue his MVP campaign against the Giants and Cincinnati Reds this week. Logan Webb is on the mound Wednesday whom Betts has torched in his career with a .346 batting average and two home runs.
Los Angeles Dodgers middle infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts had another stellar offensive game in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Nationals. Betts went 5-for-5 with three singles, two doubles, and two RBI. The 31-year-old has produced like a top fantasy pick, slashing .388/.490/.700 with six home runs, 22 runs scored, 18 RBI, and three stolen bases while hitting atop one of baseball's best lineups.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder Mookie Betts had a huge game on Thursday versus the San Diego Padres. Betts went 4-for-5 with two runs, six RBI and one walk. He also belted his first homer, a two-run rocket off Michael King in the fifth inning. Betts is always one of the strongest performers in the league and now is leading off with Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman behind him. In addition to his outfield and second base eligibility, Betts will soon pick up shortstop eligibility and that will only increase his already high value. Betts continues to put up top tier numbers on a yearly basis and there is no reason to believe that he will cool down this season at age 31. At the top of arguably the best lineup in the game, Betts remains entrenched as a first-round pick with sneaky position eligibility.
Dodgers Shifting Mookie Betts Over To Shortstop Permanently
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts is starting at shortstop Friday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Betts played shortstop for the first time in the big leagues in 2023, logging 98 innings at the position - and it appears he could be the team's primary shortstop to open the season after Gavin Lux has struggled with his glove at that spot so far in the spring. Lux is starting at second base Friday, as the two infielders could be swapping positions. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the move to shortstop for Betts is permanent. "Permanent, for now," said Roberts. The 31-year-old enjoyed a massive season in 2023, hitting .307 with 39 home runs, 126 runs, 107 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and a .987 OPS in 152 games, finishing second in NL MVP voting behind Ronald Acuna Jr. His multi-position eligibility only increases his value fantasy value.
