Despite an X-ray coming back negative, Mookie Betts suffered a rib fracture on his right side after colliding with Cody Bellinger in the finale of the Freeway Series last week. Betts was twice scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup before undergoing an MRI that revealed the full extent of his injury.
He was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with only a faint idea — and hope — of missing a relatively minimal amount of time. “Hopefully it’s two weeks or whatever,” Betts said. “I’ll take the next couple of days of not really doing anything and let at least start the healing process and then just kind of go as tolerated.”
The injury is similar to the non-displaced fracture Bellinger sustained in his left ribs late last season. He spent the required 10 days on the IL before getting activated, though appeared off the bench his first game back.
“It’s in a different area, so we’ll see if that changes anything,” answered Betts when asked how his fracture compared to Bellinger’s. “It’s high up. It’s pretty high.”
After getting knocked down to the ground and experiencing some pain the next inning, Betts believed he merely was feeling the effects of a bruise. He remained in the game and later gave an all-out effort to save Tyler Anderson’s bid at a no-hitter.
“I have no idea,” Betts said of whether the diving attempt may have caused further injury. “It was hurting, but the time and situation, you’ve got to dive even if you have a chance or don’t have a chance.
“It’s for my teammate at that point, so you’ve got to do what it takes to help him get a no-hitter. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch it. But I don’t know if it made it worse or anything.”
The Dodgers have a travel day Monday ahead of beginning a nine-game road trip, but it was unclear if Betts will accompany the team. At minimum, he will refrain from doing any baseball activity for multiple days before attempting to begin a rehab process.
How are Dodgers replacing Betts?
Eddy Alvarez received the first start in right field since Betts went on the IL and he endured plenty of struggles. Alvarez put the loss to the Cleveland Guardians squarely on his shoulders, though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts took the responsibility.
In addition to Alvarez, the Dodgers intend to utilize Zach McKinstry and Chris Taylor in right field while Betts is out. Roberts additionally said the team would add an outfielder to their active roster, and that may come from outside the organization.
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