The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Mookie Betts on the 10-day injured list due to his right hip trouble for a second time since the All-Star break.
The Dodgers believed they could manage the issue and have Betts play through it, which was previously reported to be a significant injury that would end the season of most players. Now, Betts is flying back to L.A. to meet with more doctors and specialists as they try to determine what the next steps are.
“Nothing has changed. Obviously he’s disappointed and frustrated. We’re going to have some more experts chime in and try to figure this thing out,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We’ll kind of keep digging in on this. With some rest, hopefully it responds well. That’s kind of where we’re at.”
The Dodgers believe Betts has not injured his hip worse than it already was and think some extra rest could benefit him.
“I think it’s the same. Obviously the action to make the move to the IL would seem otherwise, but as far as symptomatically, it is what it is,” Roberts said.
“It’s difficult for him to navigate and move around. We still have to have a functional roster, so to do that and get him some rest, that’s sort of a no-brainer step for us.”
The timetable for his return is still open-ended, but the Dodgers do hope to get Betts back after his IL stint is up, which is retroactive to Aug. 8, and they will re-evaluate him after his eight days on the IL are up.
“I just don’t think it’s fair to Mookie, or I don’t think anyone knows if it’s on the 11th day he would be ready to go. Mookie and I have talked at length about this,” Roberts said.
“Right now, it’s kind of a it is what it is situation. To hopefully get some of the pain and discomfort to dissipate, that’s what we’re hoping — as we retro (the IL stint) — these next eight days and see where we’re at.”
Chasing Giants without Betts
The uncertainty surrounding Betts does add pressure to the Dodgers, who sit four games behind the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West and have a tough stretch of games this week.
“It makes it a little more difficult, certainly when you a take a player like that. But we have a lot of talented players,” Roberts said.
“Do guys in all clubhouses scoreboard watch this time of year? Absolutely. But I think at the end of the day we’ve just got to focus on ourselves and win baseball games. It will take care of itself.”
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