Mookie Betts Injury Update: Dave Roberts shares possible return date for 8x All-Star

The Los Angeles Dodgers faithful received some positive news on Saturday after manager Dave Roberts hinted at Mookie Betts' imminent return from the IL. According to Roberts, the eight -time All-Star could be back in the Dodgers lineup by Aug. 12.

Mookie Betts had suffered a left-hand fracture after taking a 98-mph fastball from a Kansas City Royals reliever on June 16. The Dodgers superstar was expected to take about two months to make a full recovery and has been making steady progress towards making a comeback.

By mid-July, Mookie Betts had the protective brace removed from his hand and was taking fielding drills at Dodgers Stadium.

On July 22, the Dodgers had reportedly allowed Betts to begin swinging a bat after his grip strength returned to around 85%. The 31-year-old is expected to start taking full batting practice in the opening week of August.

The return of Mookie Betts will be a welcome boost for the Dodgers lineup, which is missing key players. Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas are all on the IL while Freddie Freeman is away on family leave. Starting pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Landon Knack, Michael Grove and Bobby Miller are also unavailable.

As a result, the Dodgers suffered their worst spell of the season, going 10-14 since July 3.

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Dodgers unsure of Mookie Betts starting at shortstop on his return

The Dodgers are not sure if Mookie Betts will play shortstop on his return (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

The Los Angeles Dodgers caused a big surprise at the beginning of the 2024 season by employing Mookie Betts as their starting shortstop. However, they are not sure if Betts will start in the same role on his return from injury, even though his rehab process is solely focusing on that position.

The Dodgers were forced into a few moves at the trade deadline after backup infielder Miguel Rojas also landed on the IL. They picked up two-time Gold Golve winner Nick Ahmed, who has started at shortstop in a few games. They also acquired Gold Glove winning utility-man Tommy Edman, who's in the IL now.

The Dodgers will have quite a few options at shortstop, so Mookie Betts could move back to his former position at right field. He said:

“If they want to go out there, I can go out there too. Like I said, at this point, I feel like I can do pretty much anything out there, especially if I can get some work at it. Whatever it takes to have the best team out there,” Betts said earlier on in the season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also feels it will not be an issue.

“When he did play different positions, last year, for example, he had one of his best years.

"So I don’t think … playing two different positions affects Mookie because, using his words, when he plays defense, he plays defense, and when he’s in the box, he’s focused on hitting,” Roberts said.

Right now, the Dodgers are more desperate for the offensive abilities of Betts, who was having one of the best seasons of his career before his injury.

As their leadoff hitter, he was batting .304/.405/.488 with .892 OPS to emerge as one of the leading candidates to win the MVP. Despite his near two-month long layoff, Betts still ranks fifth in the team for home runs (10) and RBIs (40).