Mookie Betts is gearing up for his return to the Dodgers after a month on the sidelines due to a right oblique strain. He played two rehab games and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list tomorrow.
In his limited play this season, Betts recorded a 99 wRC+ in just 32 plate appearances before his injury. Although these numbers are small, they reflect a dip in performance compared to previous years. In 2025, Betts batted .258 with a 104 wRC+, still above average but shy of the stellar stats he’s known for. He won the AL MVP award with the Red Sox in 2018 and consistently delivered top-level performance from 2019-2024.
Interestingly, Betts may have faced some bad luck last year. His batting average on balls in play was just .258, considerably lower than his career average of .299. Additionally, metrics like exit velocity and hard-hit rate were down, pointing to a potential bounce-back as he shakes off the injury.
During his absence, Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas stepped up. Kim has particularly excelled, hitting .301 over 82 plate appearances. Once Betts is back, Rojas will return to a backup role. The Dodgers now face a choice for second base, as Kim, Santiago Espinal, and Alex Freeland all compete for the spot. With minor league options for Kim and Freeland, Espinal—who has struggled with a .438 OPS—might be at risk if he doesn’t improve.
The Dodgers are currently riding high, leading the NL West at 24-15, showing that they can handle Betts’ absence. As Betts returns, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if he can regain his previous form and help the team continue its success. According to ESPN, the Dodgers are hopeful that Betts can return to being one of the game’s top talents and contribute to another potential championship run.
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