When the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Mookie Betts from the 10-day injured list after a second stint related to right hip inflammation that has been caused by a bone spur, manager Dave Roberts said the team would closely monitor his workload.
“I think the three on, one off, three on, one off,” Roberts answered last month when asked how much rest Betts needs for his hip.
“We have a stretch of 13 consecutive games where I’ll probably give him a couple days off there. But there’s going to be a point where we’re going to run him out there every day because he’s the best option, and he understands that.”
Betts returned to the Dodgers lineup for the series finale with the San Diego Padres, and he proceeded to start in each of the next two games against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. After playing three consecutive games, Betts was held out of the lineup.
Though, he did wind up pinch-hitting in the bottom of the sixth inning of the finale against the Rockies and stayed in for the remainder of the contest.
Betts then started in each game against the Atlanta Braves, which led into an off day for the team. He came out of that by starting in four straight before receiving a break Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals — and again appeared off the bench.
He’s now on the verge of playing every game as the Dodgers enter the final stretch of the regular season. “We have to win baseball games,” Roberts said.
“I did want to make sure we get the foundation in his legs and make sure he can sustain through October. I think we’re pretty much there, so after this off day, there might be another one before the end of the season but there aren’t going to be many more, if at all.”
Betts feeling normal
It was previously revealed that Betts’ hip injury was significant enough that it would shut down most players for the rest of the season.
He received a second cortisone injection after meeting with specialists and is in better standing now than after the first shot.
“It’s the first time I’ve felt normal in a long time, so super excited,” Betts recently said. “I feel normal now. I feel like the beginning of Spring Training. There’s no pain at all or anything. Hopefully I can stay on this path and I’ll be perfectly fine.”
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