The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their 2026 tear in hopes for a third straight World Series Championship. Following their soundly defeat of the New York Mets on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit the road for an NL West showdown.
The reigning champs look to bolster their lead on NL West foes, taking on the tied for last place Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants. In the Dodgers last roadtrip, they won five out of their six games before heading home to Hollywood this past week.
Their nothing short of a superstar roster has delivered during the last 12 games, despite missing a key piece.
Shortstop Mookie Betts hasn’t suited up since April 4, where he was removed mid-game for what was assumed to be a back issue. The Dodgers later confirmed Betts suffered an oblique strain, and has yet to provide a sure timeline for his return.
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Mookie Betts Says He Still Hasn’t Swung The Bat Since Oblique Injury
It’s been over ten days since Mookie Betts went down with an oblique injury, and despite constant reassurance that he is symptom free, the shortstop has yet to swing the bat.
Before the series finale against the New York Mets on Wednesday, Betts caught up with Dodgers insider David Vassegh to discuss conservative injury timeline:
“I’m able to throw,” Betts said regarding his injury. “Running, I feel it, but it’s not that bad. I haven’t started hitting yet but we’re doing med ball throws. We want to get fully comfortable with throwing a med ball and not having any hesitation with that before we start swinging.”
Betts and the Dodgers are taking a cautionary approach to the shortstop’s injury after seeing how oblique injuries take a toll on players body. Max Muncy missed time in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025 with an oblique injury.
In 2024, Muncy was sidelined for three months following the injury.
Betts further explains that he wants to avoid the mistakes he made last season when it came to developing poor mechanical habits after his injury, “Just because I don’t want to start developing bad habits, because I’m scared to swing. But I mean, with all that being said, things are going great. It’s just an oblique, and it’s going to take time.”
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Dodgers’ Manager Dave Roberts Is Hopeful That Betts’ Injury Timeline Is Under 4-to-6 Weeks
Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, spoke to the media on Tuesday regarding the return of Mookie Betts. Roberts was quick avoid a specific date for his return, but reiterates they are taking a cautionary approach.
“There’s been some other injuries that he’s dealt with that lingered. So I think that’s part of just getting more mature, and making sure,” Roberts said on Tuesday. “He’s not of much benefit if he’s not the Mookie Betts that we know. So that’s why [we’re] encouraging him to take his time.”
While Betts’ injury is a huge loss, the immense depth of the Dodgers lineup allows the team to push forward despite a missing component.
“He’s moving well,” Roberts said. “I see him throwing, stretching out a little bit. I’m not sure when he’s gonna start swinging the bat. But from talking to him, he doesn’t feel any symptoms. It’s not symptomatic. So that’s a good point.”
Since Betts’ injury was first announced, Roberts has yet to comment on an exact timeline for his return. He initially stated that he would take under the four-to-six week mark.
Given that Betts is asymptomatic at this point in his recovery, it is likely that we see him sidelined for a bit longer, but with a constant trend upward.
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Provides Less Than Encouraging Injury Update