The Los Angeles Dodgers closed out their homestand with a series win against the Kansas City Royals, but much of the excitement on Father’s Day at Dodger Stadium ultimately was tempered due to Mookie Betts getting hit by a pitch and suffering a fracture in his left hand.
“I don’t have a timeline,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to be time. No surgery. It’s just going to be rest and let the bones heal.”
Dan Altavilla’s 98 mph fastball hit Betts near the pinky and ring finger of his left hand during the seventh inning. He immediately went to the ground in pain and was checked on by Dodgers trainer Yosuke Nakajima.
Betts initially sat up while talking to Nakajima and Roberts before laying down as he continued to writhe in pain.
Roberts and Nakajima helped Betts to his feet and he slowly walked off the field. Further raising concern was Betts appeared unable to move his left hand. He did ultimately manage to slowly flex it and did a preliminary strength test by squeezing Nakajima’s hand.
Betts is the second notable injury the Dodgers have faced in as many days. Yoshinobu Yamamoto left his start on Saturday due to right triceps tightness and has since been placed on the 15-day injured list while the Dodgers await the results of testing with doctors, which was expected to include an MRI.
Additionally, Max Muncy’s quest to return from a right oblique strain has hit another snag as he’s been paused from swinging.
How will Dodgers replace Mookie Betts?
Figuring to be without Betts for at least a brief stretch, the Dodgers are likely to rely on Miguel Rojas filling in at shortstop.
Rojas has excelled this season in a utility role off the bench and also been instrumental to helping Betts become more comfortable with playing shortstop. That’s often amounted to Rojas starting at second base or third base during most games when Betts is also in the lineup.
The Dodgers are 19-0 this season in games when Rojas has at least one hit.
What nevertheless may be most challenging for the team is replacing Betts as the leadoff hitter in the Dodgers lineup. Shohei Ohtani might be the obvious candidate, having made 62 career starts in the leadoff spot, but he’s yet to do so since signing with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers six games remaining on their stretch of playing 12 in a row.
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