The Los Angeles Dodgers remain uncertain when Mookie Betts will come off the 10-day injured list, but clarity with his right hip trouble was gained after meeting with specialists discovered he is suffering from a bone spur.
“I know that he’s in L.A. and he got some type of injection to help the pain subside, which it has,” manger Dave Roberts said. “Still obviously not doing anything as far as activity. When it’s time to play or return, I still don’t know. But I do know the pain has subsided.”
What caused the bone spur is unclear, and the Dodgers are hopeful Betts will get to a point where he’s able to continue playing this season. “It’s really internal, so we don’t know how it came to be. I really don’t know the exact location,” Roberts said.
“All I know is that it causes enough discomfort to not be out there, go on the IL and get an injection for the pain to dissipate. That’s kind of all I know.”
Betts previously received a cortisone injection, but it didn’t have much of an impact and he wound up being placed on the IL on July 25. Though, that was retroactive three days, and Betts returned once he was immediately eligible — Aug. 1.
Betts started only managed to start in five games, and the Dodgers tried to further navigate through the situation by playing him at second base for three of those. Prior to his current IL stint, Betts didn’t return to the lineup after being removed in the seventh inning on Aug. 7.
Betts’ pain threshold
It doesn’t appear likely Betts will return on the date is eligible — Wednesday, Aug. 18 — and the injury will require further pain management for the remainder of the season.
“Hopefully with the injection, I know right now he’s not active, but talking to the training staff, pain has subsided,” Roberts said. “When he can return, I still don’t know because he’s got to get ramped up and see how he feels.
“My assumption is we’re going to keep managing it day-to-day but hopefully this shot has a longer-lasting effect. But we don’t know until we look out seven or 10 days, a month from now, once he starts ramping up more with the physical activity.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!