When Will Mookie Betts Return to Dodgers? Dave Roberts Provides Timeline

Noah Camras | Jun 17, 2024

Jun 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) reacts after being hit by pitch from Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla (54) during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts suffered a fractured hand on Sunday after getting hit on the hand by a 98 mph fastball.

Here's a video of the play where Mookie Betts got hit.

It was directly on his left hand and did not look good.

He stayed down for a while before exiting the game. https://t.co/q32PeVy969 pic.twitter.com/2jA5hijRJK

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 16, 2024

It was clear that Betts was going to miss a decent amount of time, but on Monday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided a more concrete timeline. Roberts said Betts would be out about 6-8 weeks, but that is, of course, contingent on how he progresses over the next few weeks.

#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts it’s about a 6-to-8 week absence for Mookie Betts, though it’ll all obviously be contingent on how he progresses over the next few weeks.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 17, 2024

With that timeline, Betts would be back at the latest by the middle of August. The earliest he could be back is right after the trade deadline, which this year takes place on July 30.

Either way, this is a huge blow for the Dodgers, who were getting an MVP-like performance from Betts through the first nearly three months of the season.

Betts was slashing .304/.405/.488 with 10 home runs, 40 runs batted in, 50 runs scored, 16 doubles, and an incredible 47 walks to just 34 strikeouts. He was a leading National League MVP candidate due to his offensive production and his adequate defense at shortstop, playing the position for the first time in his MLB career.

Unfortunately, that MVP season has now come to a dramatic halt, and he likely won't have enough time to continue the campaign upon his return.

With Betts out, Shohei Ohtani is slated to hit leadoff for the Dodgers. Ohtani will for sure hit leadoff against right-handed pitchers, per Roberts, but it remains to be seen if he gets the nod against left-handed pitchers, too.

Here's L.A.'s lineup on Monday, with Ohtani in the leadoff spot:

The Dodgers’ first lineup without Mookie Betts has Shohei Ohtani leading off.

1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Will Smith
3. Freddie Freeman
4. Teoscar Hernández
5. Andy Pages
6. Jason Heyward
7. Miguel Rojas
8. Cavan Biggio
9. Gavin Lux

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 17, 2024

While this is a tough pill to swallow for Betts and the Dodgers, the good news is he's on track to be back with plenty of time to prepare for the postseason.