Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an update regarding shortstop Mookie Betts’ oblique injury.
Betts landed on the 10-day injured list during the Dodgers’ series against the Washington Nationals at the beginning of April, and began swinging the bat again earlier in the week. Roberts revealed Betts could begin his rehab assignment as soon as the weekend of May 1-3, per MLB.com’s injuries and transactions page.
Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) at bat against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
How Was Mookie Betts Playing Before His Injury?
Most of the Dodgers’ biggest stars struggled through the first week of the season, and Betts wasn’t an exception.
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The outfielder turned shortstop played seven games before landing on the injured list with a strained oblique, and managed just five hits through 28 at-bats for a .179 batting average. Two of those hits were home runs, and he still managed seven RBIs in that time.
His slash line prior to heading to the injured list stat at .179/.281/.429 for a .710 OPS.
Who Has Taken Over For Mookie Betts While He’s on IL?
Hyeseong Kim came up to the majors following Betts’ move to the injured list, and has platooned with Miguel Rojas since his call up. Before the injury, Rojas had been platooning second base with switch hitter Alex Freeland, who has gotten a majority of the reps on the right side of the infield since.
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Kim has made quite the impact since coming up from Triple-A, batting .333 with a .848 OPS through 18 games. He has one homer and seven RBIs during that stretch, and has been a constant threat on the base paths with five steals.
The utility man has made some noticeable improvements in his approach this season, with his walk rate rising to 11.5% from 4.1% and his strikeout rate dropping 5.6%.
Who Will Make Room For Mookie Betts When He Comes Back?
With Kim’s massive improvements from last year paying off at the top level, Freeland could be in the hot seat when Betts makes his return.
Freeland has had a solid week, but is batting just .235 with a .641 OPS on the season. If he wants to maintain his spot on the roster, he will have to significantly tick up his production before Betts makes his way back.
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The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya commented on the ordeal last week, stating he sees both sides of the argument but that the victor likely wouldn’t remain with the team for too much longer.
“If I were constructing a postseason roster on April 22, Kim would likely be a better fit,” Ardaya wrote. “But I would also understand the argument that Kim would be better served than Freeland to see everyday at-bats in the minors.
“Whoever wins that ‘battle’ likely gets to hold on until either Kiké Hernández or Tommy Edman returns.”
Who do you think should win the position battle?