Already playing without Miguel Rojas (groin tightness) and Miguel Vargas (right thumb soreness/inflammation) because of their respective injuries, the Los Angeles Dodgers endured a scare Tuesday night when Mookie Betts collided with Jason Heyward in shallow right field.
Betts, starting at second base, went out on a fly ball as Heyward came charging in. Betts made the catch but immediately had his legs taken out from under him as Heyward broke into a slide.
“I’m fine. It’s just like a little twisted ankle, so it’s good,” Betts said after the Dodgers’ 5-2 win. “I don’t really even know what happened. I was just going to catch it, then I turned around and he was sliding. By that time it was too late. But he did what he’s supposed to do. Outfielders are supposed to get down. Luckily we’re all OK.”
Betts initially remained on down on the grass, laying on his back before gingerly walking toward the field before breaking into a light jog into the dugout.
Betts remained in the game and doubled in the eighth inning but appeared to be favoring his right ankle as he arrived at second base. Betts’ ankle was tested again as he scored on Will Smith’s RBI double to right-center field.
He compared the minor injury to rolling an ankle while playing basketball.
“I mean, it’s sore,” Betts acknowledged. “But like I’ve said, I’ve twisted my ankle and finished a couple quarters after that. So it’s nothing new.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially said the six-time All-Star was receiving treatment on his knee, but Betts clarified only his right ankle was the issue.
Mookie Betts on same page with Jason Heyward
Betts said the collision was “more scary” for spectators than his perspective being in it, but he nonetheless was sure to get on the same page as Heyward.
“I told J-Hey, ‘I’m the one that usually catches the ball in the air,’ so he doesn’t have to charge and come in so much now if I’m ever playing second base. But it is what it is. He did what he’s supposed to do and luckily I caught it.”
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