The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to navigate a stretch where they will be without Mookie Betts for the foreseeable future as he recovers from a right oblique strain.
The Dodgers initially believed Betts suffered the injury on a check swing in the first inning of their game against the Washington Nationals on April 4. However, he since clarified discomfort surfaced while running the bases to score from first base on a double by Freddie Freeman.
“I just took off running,” Betts explained on SportsNet LA. “I’m not sure how or what happened. The day was normal, everything was normal, so I have no idea. I really have no idea what happened.”
Betts continued: “After I walked, I went to first. It was a perfectly normal day, so that’s why I don’t know where it came from or how it happened. I prepare, I do everything, I’ve been doing it right. I’ll give myself credit. I’ve been doing it right, so I don’t know where it came from. Other than it’s just God sending a message.”
For Betts, the injury comes after an encouraging offseason that saw him start a new training program to address his swing and body movements after a down 2025 campaign.
“It depends on your mindset,” Betts answered when asked if he is disappointed by the injury. “At first, yeah. But I think it’s just acceptance. I’m in the acceptance stage of this is where I’m at no matter how I want to look at it.
“So might as well just get myself back right and be ready to go when the time comes.”
With Betts unavailable, the Dodgers are using Miguel Rojas and Hyeseong Kim to fill the void at shortstop. Kim was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City when Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list. Though, Rojas might soon take a brief leave from the team due to his father passing away.
When will Mookie Betts return to Dodgers?
The timeline for a return from an oblique injury typically ranges from one month to six weeks, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident Betts will be back sooner than that.
“I would take the under on that,” Roberts said during the road trip. “But as far as putting a timeline, I’m really hesitant right now because they are tricky.”
The eight-time All-Star also confirmed he is already able to run and play catch but hasn’t swung a bat yet. “I feel pretty normal,” Betts said.
Betts further noted his current oblique strain is “much less severe” when compared to his 2018 injury. In that instance he was put on the injured list July 1 (retroactive to May 29) and returned July 11.
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