Dodgers: Mookie Betts Taking Final Steps Before Return to Active Roster
It feels like the Dodgers have been without Mookie Betts for a lot longer than 10 days. Then again, it feels like they’ve been without Mookie for most of the season — at least the Mookie we know and love. The outfielder has dealt with a multitude of injuries this season, but a “hip pointer”, later revealed to be a bone spur in his hip has limited the former MVP for most of the season.
On Tuesday, Mookie was found at Dodger Stadium in a simulated game situation where he took at-bats and played a few innings on defense. Ahead of the real game down in San Diego, LA manager Dave Roberts had an update on his star right fielder.
“He hit a couple home runs. I talked to him on the way down today and, he felt good coming out of it. So he’s going to do some more simulated stuff tomorrow. If that goes well, hopefully we can activate him on Thursday. He’s in a really good spot, as good as he’s been all year.”
Once Mookie returns, the Dodgers suddenly face one of those good problems to have with 4 healthy outfield options for three spots. However, in the mind of Roberts, that’s something that will play itself out with days off down the stretch for everyone on the roster, especially Mookie as the team looks to keep him healthy and on the active for the rest of the season.
Related: Dodgers Confident Mookie Betts Will Be Able to Finish the Season Out Once Activated
In 87 games this season, Betts has posted a .277/.378/.521 triple slash line with 17 home runs and 44 runs batted in, mostly out of the leadoff spot. He had been on a tear when he hit the injured list, batting .355 with an OPS north of 1.000 over his previous 24 games.
NEXT: Gavin Lux Leaning Into the Role of Utility and Bench Player
Pollock in left, Taylor in Center, Mookie in right. Bring Belli in as defensive replacement later in games and to limit Mookies risk. Belli to center and move Taylor to right.
Sounds like a plan. What is worrying me though is that Bellinger’s defense appears to be off now. Maybe a BA below half the pitchers in the league is beginning to effect his defense?
affect
I think Mookie will have to deal with the pain from this hip injury till the end of the season,This is why it’s important to get The King of Pop Ups Bellinger fixed.His mental state looks completely shot.Which at some point may be harder to fix than his swing.So,when Mookie comes back,The Dodgers need to give Bellinger some serious batting lessons to prepare him for the rest of the reason.
You can’t FIX Bellinger !
Better to rest Bellinger for the season so his injuries can fully heal……..He is only being carried by a deep lineup that obscures his inability to play at the major league level.
Yes but this lineup is often inconsistent at times, especially after a 10+ run scoring game, laying an egg the very next day. Now if Roberts wants to give guys like Pollock, CT3, Betts occasional days off, he should do the same with Bellinger. At least Bellinger should sit against LHP, for example tonight against Snell. He has shown once again to really look bad against LHP,similar to how he looked against them in 2018.
Just put Belli on the IL like everybody else and rehab his swing. After all he has legit injuries to rehab including his brain. He has no business playing right now as his AB’s is a total mess and his defense is lacking focus and brain fart in recent games….. not backing up guys when the ball is hit near the wall, missing cutoffs, throwing to wrong bases, and missing signs. If he doesn’t turn it around, in the major leagues it is all about production, he could be out of a job before he knows it.
he did barrel the bat on ball driving in the only 2 Dodger runs Sunday. I still think his head is out of it totally with a knocked-up girlfriend
OMG, how many other chances did he fail? That is not production! Anybody can be lucky 1 for 1000…..get better odds @ the slots. It’s a shame and ridiculous how a guy can go from exceptional to a bust.
Here’s another question for Dodgers– who gets sent out once Betts is activated?
Probably McKinney.
Lux or Belli! Only to come back in September
The easy answer here, send Belli down to work on his swing and head. Bring him back when he gets it all together. Sitting on the bench and playing part-time is not the answer.
I still think that Mookie will need hip surgery one the season is over.
Bellinger needs to sit, or go to an instructional league. How else can we field Taylor, Polluck and Betts? No room for a .170 and below hitter.