Mookie Betts was among the many Los Angeles Dodgers players to miss a significant amount of time this year due to injuries. The 29-year-old dealt with a variety of ailments, including a bone spur in his right hip that twice caused him to be placed on the 10-day injured list.
Betts treated the pain with rest and received two cortisone injections that provided him temporary relief. He also occasionally played second base to limit his amount of running, which proved beneficial as his body was able to recover faster the next day.
Upon returning from his second IL stint in late August, Betts did not miss another game for the rest of the season. While he managed to stay in the lineup, the possibility remained that he would need to undergo offseason hip surgery.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman provided an encouraging update and now believes Betts will be able to avoid a procedure, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Andrew Friedman said Mookie Betts, whose hip bothered him most of 2021, is doing well. Checked in with Betts’ representatives and will follow up to be sure, but doesn’t look like he’ll need any sort of offseason procedure for that hip.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 11, 2021
Betts himself then expressed an expectation that he will not require hip surgery, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Mookie Betts told us he won’t require right hip surgery and will just work on rehab to strengthen the area. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) November 17, 2021
If Betts were to undergo surgery this offseason, he would be limited to some degree for a minimum of four months. That timetable would allow him to be ready to go by the start of the 2022 season.
Friedman’s sentiment was one Betts previously expressed when detailing how much more improved the hip was after a second injection.
Betts among Dodgers nominated for 2021 All-MLB Team
Betts was one of 10 Dodgers players nominated for the 2021 All-MLB Team. Voting began Wednesday night and runs through through Friday, Nov. 19, at 2:00 p.m. PT.
This is the third annual recognition for the top players, with winners being announced on MLB Network on Dec. 7. Betts earned a First Team selection last year after an impressive season that culminated with a World Series championship.
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