Dodgers: Mookie Betts Frustrated Missing Time with Injury
Three games in a row without Mookie Betts in the starting lineup for the Dodgers and it was nearly three losses in a row if not for some 9th inning heroics by a pinch hitting Will Smith.
The sparkplug that’s usually at the top of the lineup for LA is dealing with yet another nagging injury. It was described as a hip pointer by manager Dave Roberts on Tuesday afternoon. And apparently it’s been bugging him for most of the season.
Understandably, with the weight of these games against the division leading Giants, Mookie is not exactly happy to missing time.
“He’s frustrated,” Roberts said. “It’s something that, like we’ve talked about, he’s been battling with this hip pointer all year and the running in Colorado sort of got to him and kind of ticked it off and irritated it.”
Related: Dave Roberts Clarifies Mookie Betts’ Injured List Chances
Betts has played in 82 of LA’s 96 games, starting 78 of those games. The Dodgers are 49-29 in those starts. So, as you can imagine, Doc sees the importance of his All-Star right fielder.
“He wants to be in there. Mookie understands the value of him being in the lineup … obviously the importance of the series. But when you can’t go out there and be yourself and run balls down in the outfield, score on a base hit from second base – we don’t want it to be more harm than good. So, to stay away from him, to not have him in there, is probably the best thing right now.”
The team is holding out hope that Mookie can be in the lineup for the final two games of this series. With last night’s win, the Dodgers pulled back to within 1 game of the Giants for the lead in the NL West. Julio Urias (12-3, 3.78 ERA) takes the ball against Logan Webb (4-3, 3.54 ERA).
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Roberts is the last one to be playing doctor and describe this ‘hip pointer” Again, if Betts has to miss more time he needs an IL stint retroactive to Sat. when he to come out of the game.
thx for the advice. I’m pretty sure doc, coaches and FO know how to work the IL. and if he can play eventually then he can’t go on the IL. Let’s see if he plays these 2 games first.
They still get their full pay when out on disability. What the heck stay out for the rest of this year. I really would like a medical Dr to explain these injuries so I could be more passionate. Roberts half ass comments get no where.
Betts has now missed his 4th straight game tonight and most likely unable to PH since Rex batted. IDK. It’s unlikely he even plays on Thursday since Roberts saw that the hip issue is now worse than originally thought. So now Roberts mentioned an IL is certainly possible now.
Now, he has been battling this hip pointer ALL Year ? ! I seriously doubt that, just another excuse for poor play.
Poor play? He’s 8 for his last 10 including a 4 for 4 in his last game. Try and keep up.
exactly! the all star break did him good. but all that running around at high altitude did his hip in.
I would be pissed off if I had tickets for any game finding out any of the starters are out. We watch on TV and in person. I have little desire to watch a triple A team playing now. I would want a refund