Mookie Betts missed the Dodgers’ 8-5 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday and will not start for the remainder of the series due to a fracture at the tip of his second left toe. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Betts have indicated a possible pinch-hit role during the series, with hopes that Betts might return to the lineup after a few days of rest. This update on Mookie Betts fractured toe injury update comes as the team navigates a demanding stretch of games.

How the Injury Happened and Immediate Recovery Plans

The injury occurred away from the field when Betts accidentally stubbed his toe in his home. Betts explained,

“was just going to the bathroom in the dark and hit my toe on a wall.”

Despite the fracture, a stint on the injured list seems unlikely, as Betts described the issue as primarily painful but manageable. He expressed optimism, stating it’s “just pain,” and anticipated that with rest to

“get the swelling out, it’ll be all right.”

The Dodgers had an off-day on Thursday, allowing Betts some immediate rest following the injury.

Team’s Scheduling Challenges and Roster Depth

Following the recent off-day, the Dodgers face a grueling schedule with 23 games over 24 days, culminating in another off-day on June 12. This congested calendar leaves minimal time for Betts to recover if his injury persists. Fortunately, the Dodgers have multiple players capable of covering shortstop duties, including Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, Tommy Edman, and Enrique Hernandez. Despite this depth, the team is clearly eager to have their eight-time All-Star back on the field as soon as possible.

Betts’ Struggles and Performance This Season

The fractured toe adds to a challenging season for Betts, who has battled various issues affecting his performance. After losing over 15 pounds due to a severe flu-like illness in March, Betts missed the Dodgers’ opening series in Tokyo against the Cubs. He returned to play in North America on March 27 but has posted modest numbers through 234 plate appearances, hitting .254 with an on-base percentage of .338 and a slugging percentage of .405, along with eight home runs. While these stats indicate a downturn by his usual standards, Betts still maintains an above-average weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 111.

Analysis of Offensive and Defensive Contributions

Betts’ batting eye remains impressive, evidenced by more walks than strikeouts this season, reflecting his ability to make contact and select pitches carefully. However, his quality of contact is below his normative level, with hard-hit and barrel rates in the 25th percentile among major leaguers. A low batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .249 also suggests some bad luck or reduced effectiveness. It is possible that Betts’ ongoing transition to playing shortstop has diverted focus from his hitting. On defense, Betts has proven valuable, accumulating +2 Defensive Runs Saved and +3 Outs Above Average over 447 innings at shortstop this year, demonstrating solid fielding prowess amidst his positional change.