Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is in his 12th MLB season. A three-time World Series champion, eight-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner and the 2018 AL MVP, Betts is one of the most accomplished players in baseball.
Amid a down year, Betts currently owns a career-worst .742 OPS in 234 plate appearances. This still translates to an above average 111 OPS+ but it is certainly well-below Betts’ usual production.
In Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees, which is a rematch of the 2024 World Series that LA took in five games, Betts was notably absent from the starting lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50)
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Speaking with reporters pregame, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Betts stubbed his toe at home and would be undergoing X-Rays. According to Roberts, the discomfort was too much for Betts to play through (via FOX Sports MLB).
Betts has since broken his silence on the injury, announcing he has suffered a fractured toe, but expects to return in a couple of days. Betts told Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times he hit his toe against the wall while walking to the bathroom in the dark.
The Dodgers were able to defeat the Yankees without Betts on Friday, taking the series opener by a final score of 8-5. Shohei Ohtani homered twice and Andy Pages drove in three runs, helping lift LA to victory over the American League East leaders.
LA and New York will play again on Saturday, and it seems likely Betts will remain sidelined, but he expects to be back soon.
