Mookie Betts is moving closer to returning from the injured list, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are approaching a key roster crossroads. The star shortstop has been sidelined since early April with a right oblique strain, but continues to check boxes in his rehab.
Betts resumed swinging a bat roughly two weeks after landing on the IL and has progressed to regular batting practice in the cage. Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Betts is tracking toward a rehab assignment either this coming weekend or early next week, putting a return during the first half of May firmly in play. According to Crobar.co.uk, the Dodgers remain among the clear World Series favorites as they navigate this stretch without their leadoff hitter and everyday shortstop.
Betts Nears Rehab Assignment
The Dodgers have treated Betts’ oblique carefully since placing him on the injured list in early April, preferring to build in extra time between milestones. He first focused on rest and treatment before ramping up throwing, running, and infield defensive work. Only after he reported being symptom-free did they allow him to start swinging again.
That measured approach appears to have paid off, as Betts has been able to continue taking batting practice in the cage without setbacks. The next step is facing live pitching, either in simulated settings at Dodger Stadium or through a brief minor league rehab stint. Roberts indicated the club expects him to begin that rehab assignment around the upcoming weekend or soon after, which would align with a potential activation in the first half of May if everything stays on track.
While Betts has often preferred to return directly to the Major League lineup in past seasons, the nature of an oblique strain and the time he has already missed could push the Dodgers toward at least a short rehab run. Live at-bats in game settings would give the staff more confidence that he can rotate fully and handle the torque in his swing without risking another setback.
Impact On Hyeseong Kim And Infield Alignment
Betts’ absence has pushed Hyeseong Kim into an everyday role at shortstop, and the offseason acquisition has handled the position capably. Kim arrived with a strong defensive reputation and has provided steady work in the middle of the diamond, giving the Dodgers reliable range and sure hands while Betts recovers.
Once Betts returns, the Dodgers will need to decide how to deploy Kim and how to structure the rest of the infield. The original plan had Betts locked in as the primary shortstop, with Kim expected to see most of his time at second base and to float around the infield when needed. His performance at short, however, gives the coaching staff a legitimate choice between keeping him there or shifting him back to his projected spot.
If Betts goes right back to shortstop, Kim would likely move to second base on a near-everyday basis, tightening up the middle infield defense but changing his routine after several weeks at short. The Dodgers could also opt for more of a timeshare, using Betts at short on most days while giving Kim occasional starts there against certain matchups, especially during stretches of heavy workload for Betts.
Roster And Playing Time Decisions
Beyond positioning, the Dodgers will face a roster crunch when Betts is ready to come off the injured list. Kim’s emergence as a dependable option up the middle has reduced the margin for error for other infielders on the active roster. A utility player or bench infielder might find their role reduced or their spot in jeopardy when the club needs a corresponding move to reinstate Betts.
Roberts and the front office will also need to balance development and contention. Younger depth options who have been filling in could lose at-bats once Betts and Kim settle into everyday roles. The Dodgers may prioritize run prevention and veteran reliability in the infield, given their championship expectations and the importance of avoiding defensive miscues behind a rotation built to pitch deep into games.
Managing workloads will be part of that equation. As Betts returns from an oblique issue, the Dodgers might choose to schedule regular days at designated hitter or occasional off days to keep him healthy into the summer. That, in turn, would ripple through the bench and DH rotation, affecting at-bats for other regulars and part-time players.
World Series Outlook With Betts’ Return
Even with Betts sidelined, the Dodgers have continued to play like a team with serious October ambitions. They opened the season as a heavy favorite to win a third straight championship, and most major sportsbooks still list them as the shortest World Series price on the board. Current futures odds across the market generally place the Dodgers in the low plus-200 range to win it all, underscoring how strongly bookmakers view their roster and early performance.
A healthy Betts would only strengthen that position. His presence at the top of the lineup gives the Dodgers elite on-base ability, power, and positional versatility. Pairing him with a deep core that already includes multiple All-Star caliber bats and front-line pitching keeps Los Angeles in a tier of its own for many oddsmakers.
The Dodgers know that the margin for error shrinks when the expectation is another parade at season’s end. That is why the decision on how to bring Betts back, where to play him, and how to deploy Kim will carry weight beyond the next few weeks. They must protect their star’s health, reward Kim’s steady contributions, and maintain the type of daily lineup that matches their World Series odds.
For now, the focus remains on finishing Betts’ rehab process without incident. If he continues to progress and the timeline holds, Roberts could soon write his name back into the lineup card, and the Dodgers will have to solve the good problem of too many quality infield options on a roster built to contend deep into October.
