The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Mookie Betts for the foreseeable future after he was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain.
The timeline for a return from oblique injuries typically ranges from one month to six weeks, if not longer. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident Betts will be back sooner than that.
“I would take the under on that,” Roberts said on SportsNet LA. “But as far as putting a timeline, I’m really hesitant right now because they are tricky.”
The Dodgers initially believed Betts had suffered a right lower back injury, but additional testing and an MRI revealed the oblique strain. That is a far more concerning injury, but Roberts is still optimistic despite the bad news.
“I think early on, just kind of trying to figure out what initiated it — which we didn’t really know where the pain was — so then kind of hearing oblique, it gives you a little something in your stomach,” Roberts said. “But talking to Mookie, I felt a little bit more reassured today.”
The Dodgers believe Betts suffered the injury on a check swing in the first inning of the game on Saturday. However, he didn’t feel anything until he started running the bases and had to score from first base on a double by Freddie Freeman.
The early-season injury has to be frustrating for Betts, who has dealt with numerous health issues over the past few seasons. He was limited him to 116 games in 2024, and then an illness caused him to lose weight and strength heading into the 2025 season.
“He’s actually in better spirits,” Roberts said. “Obviously disappointed, but just the way he feels [Sunday] and I think he’s had some dealings with that before, and said it’s better than he recalls in past experience. So that was encouraging.”
Betts has had a slow start at the plate, hitting just .179/.281/.429 with two home runs, seven RBI, seven runs scored and a 105 wRC+. He spent the offseason reworking his swing and training program trying to find success again after a down 2025 season.
Dodgers shortstop plans without Mookie Betts
Without Betts as their everyday shortstop, the Dodgers plan on using Miguel Rojas and Hyeseong Kim there to fill the void. Kim was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City when Betts was placed on the IL.
Although Kim is a much better second baseman than shortstop, the Dodgers want to continue giving Alex Freeland everyday opportunities at second base, as they think more long-term than short-term.
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