Dodgers potentially planning rest days for Mookie Betts in return from toe fracture

Mookie Betts was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup against the New York Mets on Tuesday night and he played again Wednesday after missing four games due to a fractured fourth toe on his left foot.

Betts stubbed his toe against the wall while trying to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The resulting swelling and discomfort prevented him from even being able to put on a shoe until Sunday.

With Betts’ current injury and the fact the Dodgers don’t have an off day until June 12, manager Dave Roberts will be monitoring his shortstop’s workload.

“I think it’s a read and react. I’m not sure how many days we have until our off day, but there might be a day, potentially in St Louis, and I might just give him a day game,” Roberts said. “But if he feels good, then we’ll just keep running him out there.”

From what he has observed, Roberts has not seen any evidence of the injury affecting Betts’ preparation or ability to play a game.

“No, not at all. Yesterday, today, I was out there watching them, and it was just as intense as it always has been,” Roberts said.

But it is a piece of information that Roberts will likely take note of when making the decision to sit or start Betts throughout the duration of his recovery.

Beyond the occasional day off for Betts while his fractured toe heals, the injury is not expected to result in any missed time for post-op recovery. Because of the nature of the injury and where it is on the toe, Roberts expects it to heal over the course of the next couple of weeks.

“I think it’s going to heal itself. And fortunately, it’s kind of on the end of the toe, so it’s per tolerance, as we’ve talked about,” Roberts said. “I would assume that over the course of days and weeks, it’ll kind of heal itself, yes.”