Mookie Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner as an outfielder, has spent the 2023 season exclusively at shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marks his first time playing shortstop in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>Major League Baseball, appearing 16 times at the position this year. After initially transitioning Betts to full-time shortstop last season, the Dodgers reverted him back to right field following a fractured hand injury in June 2023.
Potential Return to Right Field Discussed as Postseason Approaches
With the postseason less than two months away, speculation has arisen about whether the Dodgers might consider moving Betts back to right field in 2025. MLB insider Sonja Chen observed that while the Dodgers currently view Betts as their shortstop, they remain open to changing his position if a strong reason emerges. Chen stated,
“I think it’s not out of the question if there’s a compelling reason for Betts to move back to right, like there was last year. But as of now, the Dodgers consider him their shortstop.”
—Sonja Chen, MLB Insider
Alternative Options for Shortstop and Outfield Positions
If Los Angeles decided to shift Betts from shortstop, players like Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim would be candidates to fill the position. However, both are currently sidelined on the 10-day injured list. Kim is expected to return soon after being diagnosed with left shoulder bursitis in late July, while Edman faces an uncertain recovery timeline due to a sprained ankle sustained during a recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In terms of outfield replacements, Betts could potentially take the spot of struggling players such as Michael Conforto or Teoscar Hernández. Despite Conforto’s offensive difficulties throughout the season, Betts himself has recently experienced a slump at the plate. Additionally, the Dodgers bolstered their outfield lineup by acquiring Alex Call from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline. Call, who can cover all three outfield positions, has posted a .286 batting average in his first three games with Los Angeles, providing the team with more depth and flexibility.
Current Outlook on Betts’ Position and Team Strategy
Due to these roster factors and recent performances, a move for Betts back to the outfield seems unlikely at this moment unless injury circumstances force a change. Nevertheless, the unpredictability of the season’s final weeks and postseason workload could prompt the Dodgers to reconsider his position. How the team manages Betts’ role will be critical as they aim to optimize their lineup heading into crucial games.