The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without shortstop Mookie Betts for 23 games, following an oblique strain. Originally, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was hopeful that Betts would return under the 4-6 week timeline.
However, as the month of April is coming to an end, Betts is creeping closer and closer to that timeline. When he was initially injured, Betts was expected to return at the four-week mark, which would make that date May 2.
Four days ago, Dave Roberts said that he expects Betts would go out on a rehab assignment in about a weeks time. In recent news, Betts shared an update that might push that timeline back a little further.
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Mookie Betts Felt Soreness In His Oblique While Taking BP
On Friday, April 24, Mookie Betts took batting practice from a coach inside the cages. He claims he felt the oblique a little while running.
Potentially a week from Monday or around that time he could go on a rehab assignment.
Ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Miami Marlins at at 12:10 P.M. PST, the Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya shared another Betts injury update.
“Mookie Betts said he felt some soreness in his oblique a couple days back when he started taking BP on the field,” Ardaya wrote on X. “So they backed off. He’s been hitting in the cage the last couple days and feels he’s ‘turned a corner’ for them to try to start that up again.’
While that may not seem like great news, recovery from an oblique strain is around 4-6 weeks, and Betts is right around that mark.
Early in Betts recovery process, the shortstop revealed that he wanted to avoid the mistakes he made last season when it came to developing poor mechanical habits after his injury.
Dodgers reporter David Vassegh followed up Ardaya’s report by stating, “Once he tries [BP off hitting coaches] again and wakes up without any soreness is another big check point. Betts said he was told 4-6 weeks to return from his oblique strain, but believes he’s ahead of schedule.”
Vassegh also shared a video to X of Betts taking reps at shortstop ahead of the Dodgers’ 12:10 P.M. start time.
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Mookie Betts’ Role In Dodgers Lineup When He Returns From Injury
Prior to Mookie Betts’ oblique injury, the shortstop was batting .179/.281/.429 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Although Betts’ numbers aren’t not typical of the former MVP, right before his injury, Betts was just starting to catch fire.
Now that Dave Roberts has made quite a few lineup changes the last couple weeks, it leaves many wondering where Mookie will fall in the batting order when he returns.
He is also expected to begin his rehab assignment about a week from Monday.
(via @DodgersBeat)
Roberts revealed that Betts would be slotted in the third or fifth spot in the batting order. Third, now occupied by Will Smith, is where the shortstop was hitting prior to his injury.
And Teoscar Hernandez and Max Muncy currently rotate between hitting fifth.
While it’s currently unknown what days Betts will be batting third or fifth, one thing for certain is that Betts will find himself as the Dodgers starting shortstop.
Since his injury, Hyeseong Kim has taken over Betts’ role at short. The second-year Dodger has done an amazing job holding down fort.
Roberts has even complimented Kim, calling him the Dodgers’ “spark plug.”
While Betts will take over shortstop again, it’s unknown what Roberts plans on doing with Kim. His bat has been hot, and is playing gold glove defense, so it’s vital to keep him rotating in and out of the lineup.
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Mookie Betts Reveals Setback In Recovery Process For Oblique Injury