The Los Angeles Dodgers are starting their nine-game road trip Friday night without Mookie Betts in the lineup for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox.
It was a likely scenario and one that manager Dave Roberts revealed to be a possibility after the Dodgers’ walk-off win against the Minnesota Twins.
“I know there’s some things going on personally for him, so I’ve got to talk to him,” Roberts said on Wednesday. “There might be some things going on that he might not be around, that he’s got to deal with personally. But everything is OK with him, so we’ll see.”
While Roberts didn’t specify at the time when Betts would be back in the lineup, he said from Fenway Park that’s expected to be Saturday but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee starting or playing, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is expected to arrive in Boston tomorrow around first pitch. TBD if he will be in the lineup. He’s away from the team for personal reasons.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 25, 2025
Friday is the second game Betts has not played in since the All-Star break. He was benched on July 19 as Roberts looked to provide Betts with what he believed was a mental break amid his season-long slump.
Betts returned the following afternoon and did so as the Dodgers’ new leadoff hitter. He’s gone 3-for-17 with three runs scored, one double, two walks and two strikeouts in four games since the change.
“I think he’s still not right mechanically, clearly. I do know it hasn’t affected Shohei, so that’s a good thing. And I do think getting Mookie on base sets the stage,” Roberts said. “I still like the mindset of being a table setter and finding a way to get on base anyway he can, to get that on-base (percentage) up.
“And then the hits will start coming, the slug, all that stuff.”
Mookie Betts’ career
The Dodgers are playing in Boston for only the second time since Betts was traded by the Red Sox in 2020. He’s maintained an affinity for the organization and city since that controversial decision by the Red Sox front office.
In his career at Fenway Park, Betts has hit .320/.388/.546 with 66 home runs and 257 RBI. Among other accolades during his Red Sox career, Betts won an American League MVP Award and the World Series in 2018.
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