Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is back in action again on Wednesday, but don’t expect him in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Wednesday night’s game that Betts is fine that night, but four games in a row might be too much as he works his way back from an oblique strain.
Betts previously played Monday and Tuesday.
Roberts confirmed that he’d planned to sit Betts on Wednesday, though “a little bit of” the decision-making involved Ohtani pitching and not hitting on Wednesday.
“Talking to Mookie and saying he felt really good, as far as physically. I’m not going to just sit him down [on Wednesday],” Roberts said, as reported by Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez. “Going three in a row isn’t really pushing him, considering how he feels, and he’ll be down tomorrow.
Dodgers still dealing with team-wide slump
While Betts’ return has certainly been welcomed, it’s not a cure-all for the hitting issues affecting most of the Dodgers, including their biggest stars.
Betts addressed the slump directly before Tuesday’s game.
“I know I’m not the hero,” Betts said. “It’s going to take us all.”
He added that “we’re going to go through our ups and downs.”
“It’s important for everyone to know it’s going to take all of us and not just one guy getting through their struggles,” he said.
How has Mookie Betts played in 2026?
So far this season, Betts has missed a great deal of time due to injury, and he hasn’t been overly impressive when he has played.
In his 10 games this season, he’s hitting .162/.244/.351/.595 with two home runs and seven RBIs.
With a player of Betts’ caliber, he needs time to work through his swing issues.
After all, at his best, Betts has been an MVP, a perennial All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger winner.
Before his injury, he seemed like he was about to right the ship.
He hit a home run the day before he was hurt, and while he’s only 1-for-9 in the two games since he returned to the Dodgers, it’s just a matter of time before he gets back into the swing of things.
When do you think Mookie Betts will be hitting well again?