Dodgers' Mookie Betts Hit By Pitch, Leaves Game in Serious Pain

This didn't look good.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts fell to the ground in agony after he was hit on the hand by a 97.9 mph fastball on Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium.

Mookie Betts was hit on the hand by a 97.9 mph fastball from Kansas City pitcher Dan Altavilla. Betts is out of the game. He immediately crumbled to the ground after getting hit, and it took a few minutes before he walked to the dugout.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 16, 2024

Betts was 0-for-3 when he came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning. He worked the count to 1-2 when a ball got away from Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla running inside and nailing Betts on the hand. Betts left the game and Miguel Rojas took his place in the lineup and at shortstop.

The crowd at Dodger Stadium let out a collective gasp the moment it happened. It took Betts a few minutes to get up and walk off the field.

TAKE MY HAND MOOKIE BETTS. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BE OKAY pic.twitter.com/KP5eIY8DcD

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 16, 2024

Betts doesn't get injured too often. The last significant injury he endured was a cracked rib in 2022 although he didn't miss too much time.

If the injury is significant and requires a trip to the IL, Rojas should be the first man up to play shortstop. He is a defensive specialist for the Dodgers and his bat is coming around when he gets the opportunity to hit. Other options are Kiké Hernández and Chris Taylor.