"I want to win" - Mookie Betts opens up on moving back to outfield as Dodgers reportedly end infield play following injury scare

The Mookie Betts experiment at shortstop is reportedly coming to an end as the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star makes his much-awaited return from injury on Monday.

Mookie Betts has been on the sidelines since mid-June after suffering a fracture in his hand following a hit-by-pitch incident. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the eight-time All-Star will move to his outfield position on his return to the Dodgers.

Even though Betts has been one of the most productive shortstops in the division since moving to the position at the start of the season, the former AL MVP made his concerns known to the Dodgers management on Thursday.

“I think it was just kind of a mutual thing,” Betts said. “But I would say I mostly went to them. I said, ‘Listen, I believe I can do it, but I want to win, man.’ I want to win. I don’t know if me right there (at shortstop) is the best solution.”

The Dodgers have not only missed Mookie Betts' presence in the outfield but also his productivity at the plate. In his absence, Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and offseason signing Teoscar Hernandez have done much of the heavy lifting.

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Dave Roberts denies reports of Shohei Ohtani requesting to move Mookie Betts down the order

Earlier this week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will continue hitting in the leadoff spot despite Mookie Betts returning to the lineup.

There were murmurs that Ohtani had requested to remain in the leadoff spot, where the Japanese phenom has impressed at after Betts' injury in June. However, Roberts quashed those rumors, saying that Ohtani is open to batting anywhere in the lineup as long as it helps the team win.

“Shohei has said the same thing that Mookie said,” Roberts said. “Wherever you want me to hit, I hit.”

Betts will be hitting second for the first time for the Dodgers but isn't too bothered about that change.

“There’s only one Mookie,” Betts said. “I don’t care. I want to win. Keep that first and foremost, and the rest just is what it is.”

Betts will likely feature for the team in nearly two months in the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday at American Family Field.