Mookie Betts’ anticipated return to Boston as a Los Angeles Dodgers player this weekend faces uncertainty, as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Betts might not play in Friday’s series opener at Fenway Park. This game marks a significant moment for Betts, who began his career with the Boston Red Sox and is preparing for a homecoming at the stadium where he built a remarkable legacy. The Dodgers and Red Sox square off in what is billed as a highly anticipated matchup, but Betts’ involvement on the field remains unclear due to a personal matter.
Betts’ Career Ties and Current Performance Challenges
Mookie Betts played six seasons with the Red Sox, earning accolades including the 2018 AL MVP award and helping Boston secure a World Series title. He ranks 10th in franchise history with a 42.5 bWAR and holds ninth place in OPS with a .893 mark. His trade to the Dodgers in February 2020 was followed by significant contributions to Los Angeles’ two World Series appearances since then. However, Betts has struggled with his form this season, batting .238/.309/.370 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs over 94 games for the Dodgers.
Recently, Betts’ performance has declined notably. Over the past 30 games, he has hit just .179/.214/.276 with two home runs and 10 RBIs, while his strikeout total nearly matches his hits. The Dodgers, despite having the best NL West record at 60-43, have gone 4-11 in their last 15 games, highlighting a challenging stretch for the team and Betts alike.
Reasons Behind Betts’ Possible Absence Friday
Roberts revealed that Betts might not be available Friday due to matters requiring his personal attention. Although the Dodgers were off on Thursday, allowing for rest, the indication that Betts could miss Friday’s game stems from “some things going on” in his personal life. Roberts commented,
“There might be some things going on that he might not be around, that he’s got to deal with personally,”
and added,
“Everything is okay with him, but yeah, we’ll see.”
These remarks suggest the issue may be temporary, but the situation remains uncertain.
Missing the game at Fenway Park would be notable given Betts’ strong history there. As a Red Sox player, he compiled a stellar .934 OPS at Fenway with 66 home runs, 257 RBIs, and 323 runs in 397 games. Even with the Dodgers, he’s performed well at Boston, going 7 for 15 with five runs scored, two doubles, and a home run in three games during August 2023, helping Los Angeles win two of those games.
Updates on Dodgers’ Pitching and Upcoming Player Starts
Alongside the talk of Betts, Dave Roberts also praised the Dodgers’ pitching staff following Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. Tyler Glasnow, recently returning from the injured list, delivered a strong performance with 12 strikeouts over seven innings while limiting the Twins to one run on three hits. Despite his effort, Glasnow received his sixth no-decision of the season.
Roberts remarked, “Gosh, he was really good,” in response to Glasnow’s outing. The Dodgers’ rotation is nearing full strength, with Blake Snell scheduled for a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City in Reno on Saturday. Attention now shifts to Shohei Ohtani, whose next start is slated for Wednesday in Cincinnati, giving him nine days’ rest after pitching Monday against the Twins.
Implications for the Dodgers and Betts’ Homecoming
The possibility of Mookie Betts missing the Dodgers’ weekend series opener at Fenway adds a layer of uncertainty to what was expected to be a milestone event. For Dodgers fans and baseball observers, his availability is significant due to his strong ties to Boston and his contribution to the Dodgers’ success. Betts’ absence could impact both the team’s lineup and the atmosphere surrounding the game, which many consider a major narrative of the season. Meanwhile, Dodgers management and fans will watch closely as the situation develops to see if Betts can participate in what should be a meaningful homecoming.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Mookie Betts a billionaire?
A. Mookie Betts’ Wealth by 2025 Mookie Betts has an estimated wealth of about $70 million. His financial choices have been smart. Betts has grown into one of Major League Baseball’s top players over time. His money management aims to ensure a stable future.
Q. Which bone did Mookie Betts break?
A. During Sunday’s game with the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts fractured his left hand after being struck by a pitch in the seventh inning.
Q. What was Mookie Betts’ illness?
A. Mookie Betts didn’t play during the early season because he was sick with a stomach virus, and he wasn’t sure exactly when he got it.
Q. Which bone did Mookie Betts fracture?
A. Betts will be out for a while after a pitch broke a bone in his left hand. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned that surgery won’t be necessary, and the injury won’t keep him out for the rest of the season. However, there is no set date for his return. “He just needs to rest and let the bone heal,” Roberts explained.