Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts landed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain before the team's 8-6 series-finale victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The injury occurred during Saturday's game after Betts scored from first base. Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism for a quicker recovery than the typical 4-6 weeks.
Dark clouds hung over Nationals Park in Washington as the Dodgers completed a series sweep of the Nationals with an 8-6 win. Prior to the game, the Dodgers placed Mookie Betts on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain and recalled infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Betts had been replaced at shortstop in the bottom of the first inning of Saturday's 10-5 win after feeling discomfort in his right lower back while running the bases following a walk and Freddie Freeman's two-run double. An MRI confirmed the strain, possibly from a checked swing earlier in the at-bat. Roberts described the injury as more moderate than significant and noted the upcoming turf at Rogers Centre as a factor in resting him. He remained hopeful Betts could return sooner than the standard 4-6 weeks for such strains, saying, 'I would take the under on that. But as far as putting a timeline, I'm really hesitant right now, because [oblique injuries] are tricky.' Betts, who missed two weeks with a similar left abdominal strain in 2018, reported feeling much better by Monday. 'I'm light years ahead of where I thought I was going to be,' he said, 'so we're in a good spot.' Miguel Rojas and Kim will platoon at shortstop, with Kim facing right-handers and Rojas left-handers. Rojas filled in effectively Saturday, including a strong throw to retire James Wood. The Dodgers' depth should help manage the loss, though Roberts called it a blow. 'That’s the great thing about having the depth that a lot of teams don’t have,' he said.
