The Dodgers will be without superstar shortstop Mookie Betts for the foreseeable future.
Betts left Los Angeles' game against the Royals on Sunday, June 16, in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch. Betts dropped straight to the ground after being clocked in the hand by a 98-mph fastball from Kansas City reliever Dan Altavilla.
This injury is a major blow to a Dodgers team with World Series-or-bust expectations. Betts was the NL MVP frontrunner, hitting .307 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, and nine stolen bases through the first 71 games of the 2024 season.
How serious is Betts' injury? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
What is Mookie Betts' injury?
Betts was plunked by a 98-mph fastball from Royals reliever Altavilla on June 16. He was immediately removed from the game and taken for X-rays.
Mookie Betts exited the game after being hit in the hand with a 98mph fastball pic.twitter.com/lmRB3571Tt
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 16, 2024
After the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Betts suffered a fractured left hand.
Dave Roberts said there is a fracture in Mookie Betts’ left hand.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 16, 2024
How long is Mookie Betts out?
Despite the bad news that Betts fractured his left hand, Dodgers manager Roberts said the injury would not require surgery and is not season-ending, per Dodgers host Kirsten Watson.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts has shared Mookie Betts has fractured his left hand, he will not require surgery, but it will take time to heal. It’s not a season-ending injury.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) June 16, 2024
Betts still spoke with the media after the game, trying to keep his spirits up about the severity of the ailment.
"I'll be watching the boys and cheering them on. Other than that, just kind of rest, maybe use it as a mental break and be ready to go whenever it heals up."
Betts added that there is no timeline for his return. "I'll go see the doctor [on Monday, June 17] and we'll know more. Right now, it's just, let it heal."
Mookie Betts on his fracture: “I'll be watching the boys and cheering them on. Other than that, just kind of rest, maybe use it as a mental break and be ready to go whenever it heals up." pic.twitter.com/ia1AQacEUX
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 16, 2024
Typically, broken hands take 6-8 weeks to heal, depending on the severity and exact location of the break.
Who will replace Mookie Betts in Dodgers' lineup?
Miguel Rojas replaced Betts on Sunday after the star exited the game, and he's listed as No. 2 on L.A.'s depth chart at shortstop. With Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor on the roster — as well as newcomer Cavan Biggio, who's been filling in for Max Muncy (oblique) at third base — the Dodgers have no shortage of similar options to man short.
While none can hope to come close to replicating Betts' offensive production, Rojas has been by far the best hitter of the bunch this year (.278/.328/.444 with three home runs in 102 at-bats). The Dodgers could also look to the minors and eventually call up 24-year-old infield prospect Trey Sweeney, who's hitting .238/.326/.418 with 10 HRs and 12 SBs at Triple-A this season. In the meantime, they'll re-call Miguel Vargas for more depth.
L.A.'s offense will obviously take a big hit losing Betts atop the lineup, so the best they can hope is to piece things together and get even bigger contributions from Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, and Shohei Ohtani, who will likely move up to the leadoff spot.
Mookie Betts stats 2024
Betts was the favorite to win NL MVP before the injury. The 31-year-old superstar had seamlessly transitioned to Los Angeles' starting shortstop this season after playing outfield or second base for the majority of his career.
You can find his 2024 stats below.
- 71 games played (of 73 possible games)
- 86 hits
- 50 runs
- 10 home runs
- 40 runs batted in
- 9 stolen bases
- .307 batting average
- .407 on-base percentage
- .493 slugging percentage
- .900 OPS
- 3.8 bWAR
- 3.4 fWAR