The Los Angeles Dodgers put Mookie Betts on paternity leave and called up Luke Williams from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets. Daniel Hudson was transferred to the 60-day injured list in order to add Williams to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Although Betts is not pleased with his start to the season, he’s been among the more productive hitters in the Dodgers lineup. Losing him puts more strain on the rest of the group to emerge from inconsistent production.
James Outman is batting leadoff in the middle game of the series with the Mets, and Jason Heyward starts in right field with Betts being unavailable.
Per MLB roster rules, a player that goes on the paternity list is required to miss a minimum of one day but can’t be away from the team more than three days.
The likelihood of Williams joining the Dodgers roster this week appeared high in the wake of Chris Taylor being removed from the series opener due to a left side issue. There was concern Taylor suffered an oblique injury, but he reported to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday feeling better than anticipated and remains on the active roster.
Williams hit .375/.455/.696 with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 13 RBI in 14 games for Oklahoma City.
Williams attributed that production to working with Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc during the offseason and being able to make everyday starts.
How did the Dodgers get Luke Williams?
The Dodgers claimed Williams off waivers from the Miami Marlins last November, but he was non-tendered less than two weeks later. Williams then returned to the Dodgers on a Minor League contract.
“Luke is just on the outside looking in, but he’s a Major League player,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during the exhibition Freeway Series.
“He’s going to go down to Triple-A and play some third, play some short, play some second. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him at some point help us. I like everything about him. I like the way he prepares, his head, I like the skillset. The last couple weeks of spring he’s really taken off.”
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