Mookie Betts is on track to be activated from the 10-day injured list when the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a road trip next week.
The eight-time All-Star was expected to return at shortstop but after some deliberation, and a conversation with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Betts is moving back to right field.
Furthermore, he also will be batting in a new spot in the Dodgers lineup. Roberts recently confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will continue hitting leadoff for the club.
Betts is fine with the decision as he believes the Dodgers go as Ohtani does, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I mean, I can’t say I’m better than Shohei,” Betts said. “There’s nothing really you can say. Whatever Shohei says goes, and after that we kind of fall in line.”
Betts did acknowledge there is a notable change with no longer being the leadoff man in the Dodgers lineup, but added he will be prepared:
Betts said there is a “big difference, huge difference” in where he hits in the lineup.
“But it doesn’t matter,” he said. “When the lights turn on, it doesn’t matter. You gotta be ready to go. And I’ll be ready to go.”
Betts served as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter before his injury, with Ohtani following him in the No. 2 spot and Freddie Freeman batting third.
With Betts sidelined, Ohtani was elevated into the leadoff spot and went on a torrid stretch. Freeman has continued to hit third, with a right-handed batter hitting second to split up the left-handers.
Betts will likely slide into the No. 2 spot, which would allow the three former MVP Award winners to hit in consecutive order like they have for most of the 2024 season.
Mookie Betts’ 2024 season
Betts’ imminent return should give the Dodgers lineup a massive boost as he is hitting .304/.405/.488 with 16 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 331 plate appearances over 72 games this season.
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