Mookie Betts won’t be playing indefinitely for the Los Angeles Dodgers after fracturing his left hand during their June 16 game against the Kansas City Royals. Right-handed pitcher Dan Altavilla struck Betts’ hand with a four-seam fastball in the bottom of the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium.
But while Betts was visibly in pain after the hit, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player won’t need surgery and will return this season. However, the Dodgers aren’t giving a definitive timetable for his return.
Roberts must find a way to compensate for Betts’ offensive production. Through 72 games, he is hitting .304/.405/.488 with ten home runs and 40 RBIs. Betts leads the National League in plate appearances (331) and has a .892 OPS.
Mookie Betts will miss time with a fractured hand pic.twitter.com/JVUOP4zfnL
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 16, 2024
Roberts initially considered moving Shohei Ohtani to the leadoff hitter spot to take Betts’ place. However, the plan hasn’t pushed through. Likewise, Miguel Rojas will likely have the most minutes at shortstop in Betts’ absence. Kike Hernandez could be Rojas’ backup, and the Dodgers might recall Miguel Vargas to fortify their shortstop rotation.
In addition to Betts, third baseman Max Muncy is already out due to an oblique strain. The Dodgers also placed ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the injured list because of a right rotator cuff strain.
Luckily, the Dodgers are at 44-29 without Betts, Muncy, and Yamamoto moving forward. They have a sizable eight-game cushion ahead of the San Diego Padres for the National League West lead. The Dodgers have the second-best record in the NL behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
-Lance Fernandez