Mookie Betts predictably was not in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup one day after being hit by a pitch on the inside of his right forearm. Manager Dave Roberts said X-rays came back negative, but that Betts likely would not play Tuesday.
“Came in feeling pretty good, sore, probably try to stay away from him, but we’ll see how treatment goes,” Roberts added. “I think as far as a pinch-run, if the situation makes sense, certainly shouldn’t be a problem. I just don’t know how the throwing would be, let alone swinging the bat.”
While early indications are positive for Betts and the Dodgers, it is worth remembering that an X-ray hasn’t always proven completely conclusive — the likes of Andre Ethier and Cody Bellinger specifically coming to mind.
Betts immediately dropped to his knees after being struck flush in the arm. He then sat in the dirt around home plate while Roberts and a trainer checked him before carefully getting up and walking to first base.
Betts appeared hesitant to move his right arm but his time on the bases was short-lived as Corey Seager immediately grounded into a game-ending double play.
This marks a second time this month that Betts has dealt with injury. He previously was out of the lineup for one week because of lower back stiffness.
Bellinger progressing
Among the various injuries the Dodgers have incurred this season includes Bellinger. He was spiked in the left calf on April 5 and initially diagnosed with a contusion, but the injury has since been discovered to be a hairline fracture in the fibula.
Roberts explained last week it didn’t necessarily impact Bellinger’s timeline for a return — which remains open-ended — nor his ability to remain active. “Had a really good day of work,” Roberts said Monday.
“Did some light jogging, taking some swings, played catch, he’s going to take some balls off the bat. Today was a good considerable day. Hopefully he comes out it feeling good and we just continue to progress.”
Roberts remains reluctant to set any sort of timetable for Bellinger, who eventually may take his rehab process to the alternate training site at Camelback Ranch to log at-bats against live pitching.
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