When Mookie Betts reunited with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the start of their homestand this week, it initially amounted to doing some work in the weight room as he continued to navigate the rehab process from right hip inflammation caused by a bone spur.
Betts then advanced to back-to-back days of running sprints and doing agility drills as a Dodgers trainer monitored him. On Thursday, Betts added to his work by taking swings in the batting cage.
“I know we’re not going to hit on the field [Saturday], but I’m sure he’s going to be taking swings later [Friday] and [Saturday],” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Sunday, we should hopefully do a sim game situation.”
Roberts initially said Betts would participate in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, but the possibility that it may get pushed back a day is not cause for concern.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Roberts said of Betts.
Whenever the simulated game is held, it could be followed by a short rehab assignment with a Minor League affiliate. Roberts said such a decision would be left up to Betts, who suggested he did prefer going that route.
“I would like to at least get hot, cool off, then get back to running around or whatever. Just to make sure and not put anybody in a tough spot,” he explained. “I don’t want to go out there and have to come out of a game or anything.”
Betts feeling ‘like myself again’
Having battled right hip discomfort from the first week of the season, Betts has been relieved and encouraged by the effects of a second cortisone injection taking hold.
“I feel normal now. I feel like the beginning of Spring Training now. There’s no pain at all or anything. Hopefully I can stay on this path and I’ll be perfectly fine,” he said.
“It’s just good to feel like me again.”
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