Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Set to Play Shortstop for First Time

A short-handed roster will shift the former MVP outfielder to a new spot.

Before he became a Gold Glove and MVP-winning right fielder, Mookie Betts began his professional baseball career on the infield dirt as a second baseman. Roster constraints for the Dodgers have brought Betts back to the keystone in 2023, and now, they’ll push him into uncharted territory: shortstop.

An injury to Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas’s struggles offensively have forced some creative thinking on the part of manager Dave Roberts, who has confidence in Betts’s ability to adapt to a new position.

“He looks extremely natural,” Roberts said, per MLB.com’s Juan Toribio. “The guy can play anywhere on a baseball field … I think there were some reservations about him playing second base last year and he quickly put those to bed. So it’s going to be the same thing.”

The Dodgers were already in a bit of a bind at shortstop before the season began after Gavin Lux tore his ACL during spring training. Though Betts did make 14 appearances at shortstop in the minors, his last came during the 2013 Arizona fall league. He’s made 15 appearances in right field this season, with five at second base.

Could this be a long-term move for the six-time All-Star? Time will tell. For now, though, he’ll easily lay claim to the best third-string shortstop in the league.