Mookie Betts is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday and also be in their lineup the following night in games against the Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels affiliate).
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated earlier in the week that Betts was potentially nearing the start of a rehab assignment. He first was expected to participate in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.
BREAKING: Eight-time All-Star, four-time World Series champ and former MVP Mookie Betts is scheduled to play for the Comets Friday & Saturday as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment!
(Note: Scheduled rehab assignments are subject to change.) pic.twitter.com/ihauVeAsHH
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) May 7, 2026
The rehab assignment is going to be first for the four-time MVP since he played in one game at the Double-A level in 2015.
Mookie Betts’ timeline for return
Betts has been on the 10-day injured list since April 5 because of a right oblique strain he sustained while running the bases. The recovery process was been up and down during various points, which can be expected with an oblique strain.
After experiencing some lingering soreness when taking swings and easing up on his level of activity, Betts said last week he felt as though he “turned a corner” in the recovery process. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Betts’ rehab assignment might only last two games.
Mookie Betts’ return to the Los Angeles Dodgers could come as soon as Monday, a league source told The Athletic, just more than four weeks after the shortstop and former MVP strained his oblique.
Roberts said at the time of Betts suffering his injury that he believed a return would come before the general timetable of four to six weeks for an oblique strain. Should the Dodgers activate Betts off the injured list, that would mark exactly five weeks from the date he was put on the IL.
Betts previously dealt with a left oblique strain while with the Boston Red Sox during the 2018 season. Though, that injury occurred on a swing in the batting cage.
“I knew that one was much worse than this” Betts said last month. “I just took off running. I’m not sure how or what happened. The day was normal, everything was normal, so I have no idea.”
Betts added the oblique strain he now seemingly has recovered from was “much less severe” when compared to the 2018 injury. In that instance he was put on the injured list July 1 (retroactive to May 29) and returned July 11. Betts went on to win American League MVP and a World Series title that season.
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