The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, but of greater importance heading into Wednesday’s matchup against the Seattle Mariners is the status of Mookie Betts after being hit by a pitch on the inside of his right forearm.
Betts immediately dropped to his knees in pain and remained down on the ground as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer rushed to check on him. Betts sat for a minute and rose to his feet — though without moving his right arm much — and walked toward first base.
Whether he could’ve continued playing beyond that is unknown as Corey Seager promptly grounded into a game-ending double play. “We’re going to get some tests,” Roberts said after the 4-3 loss.
“It’s kind of the right forearm, soft tissue. Sure there’s going to be some bruising, maybe some swelling. I just won’t know more until he shows up [Tuesday].”
Because of the immediate uncertainty with Betts’ potential injury, Roberts couldn’t definitively state whether or not he would be in the lineup for the afternoon game. “I’m sure Mookie is going to want to be in there,” Roberts acknowledged.
“I just want to make sure it doesn’t affect his throwing or his swing. He’s pretty honest with me, so if he feels like he can play, he’ll be in there. … You just hope that it’s not bad. Fortunately, I think the soft tissue part of it is a good thing.”
With the Dodgers playing in an American League ballpark, they have the benefit to potentially use Betts as the designated hitter. Justin Turner was DH on Monday, and Roberts said prior to the loss he would take stock to determine who would fill the spot for the series finale.
Roberts then said after the Dodgers’ second straight defeat that he had not yet made a decision.
Dodgers injuries
If Betts is required to miss any time, it would mark a second such instance this season. He previously was out of the lineup for one week due to lower back stiffness.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers remain without Cody Bellinger, Joe Kelly and Gavin Lux. Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this month because of a calf contusion that has since been diagnosed a hairline fracture in the left fibula.
Kelly has been inactive since the start of the season because of right shoulder inflammation, and right wrist soreness led to Lux landing on the IL this past weekend. When Bellinger or Kelly will return is unknown, but Lux should be reinstated on the the first day he’s eligible — Monday, April 26.
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