Mookie Betts Update: Dave Roberts opens up on his plans of playing 8x All-Star in shortstop as Shohei Ohtani shines in leadoff spot 

Even without Mookie Betts for almost two months now, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to lead the NL West with a .584 winning percentage (66-47). The team is eagerly awaiting the return of several injured players, including Betts, to boost their postseason chances.

Mookie Betts has been recovering well and is reportedly set to practice in a simulated game next week. With the eight-time All-Star returning, the question is which position he will play. Betts was the team's starting shortstop before injury sidelined him.

However, with the addition of shortstops Nick Ahmed and Amed Rosario, many speculated if the club might assign Betts to a different position. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed these speculations and revealed their plan for Betts' return.

Roberts said that upon returning from the 10-day injured list, Betts will play shortstop and bat second in the lineup, with Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani as the leadoff hitter. Furthermore, Freddie Freeman will join them at the top of the lineup while batting third.

Betts is still recovering from a left-hand fracture he suffered in June during a game against the Kansas City Royals. If everything goes well, Betts could return for the Dodgers in their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 12.

Mookie Betts opens up about sliding down the lineup

After spending most of the season as the leadoff batter, Betts addressed speculations about him sliding down the lineup in July. Discussing Ohtani in the leadoff spot during his absence, he said (via Dodgers Blue):

“Shohei belongs wherever the hell he wants to go. Wherever he wants to go, he can be there. Once he decides what he wants to do, I’ll get in where I fit in.”

Mookie Betts was entirely focused on his recovery and not on the role he will have upon his return. He added:

“Nah, I don’t care. The boys are playing good. So right now, I belong where I am, somewhere sitting down. So as long as they win, we win, I don’t care when I come back, I can do anything but catch.”

As the Los Angeles Dodgers' leadoff hitter, Shohei Ohtani is hitting .299/.414/.682 with 11 doubles, 15 home runs, 35 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 41 games so far in the 2024 season.

The Dodgers are currently in the middle of a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, having won the opening game 5-3 on Monday.