Mookie Betts on IR with cracked rib
The Los Angeles Dodgers tenuous grip on the NL West just got a little more slippery, with news that Mookie Betts has been placed on the IR
Los Angeles outfielder Mookie Betts collided with Cody Bellinger during their 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. He continued the game, but complained of soreness in his side. Post game x-rays showed nothing and he was given Friday off, but during warmups on Saturday, he felt the pain getting worse and worse.
The Dodgers, taking no chances on their talisman, decided to have him undergo an MRI, which revealed a crack in one of his right ribs.
Manager Dave Roberts placed him on the ten-day injured reserve list and is optimistic that he sill be back within that timeframe. “It’s certainly a big blow for all of us,” said Roberts. “But having the information and knowing what it is, at least there’s solace in that and hopefully we’ll get him back sooner than later.”
Betts also downplayed the injury, saying, “I thought it was just a bruise. As I was preparing for the game, it just got a little worse and a little worse. So that’s when I knew I needed to go get it checked out. When nothing was broke on the X-rays, that was encouraging and my mind was fixed on trying to play no matter what.”
With the Blues holding only a half-a-game lead on the Padres, and only three games on the Giants, this is a precarious time to lose the man who is one of the favorites to win the NL MVP in 2022. Betts is leading the Dodgers with 17 home runs and 53 runs scored, and Dave Roberts often says that the Dodgers go as Mookie goes.
During the next two weeks, Trea Turner will be moved to the leadoff spot, with Chris Taylor getting the nod to replace Betts in right field.
This comes on the end of a rough patch for the Dodgers, injury-wise, losing Walker Buehler, Edwin Ríos, Blake Treinen, and Tommy Kahnle to injury as well.
“I don’t want to reference Murphy’s Law, but it’s been that way,” said Roberts. “But you have to keep moving up and have that next man up mindset. It’s baseball and it’s a long season and things like that are going to happen.”
One of the deepest lineups in baseball is certainly going to be tested by a Padres team who have their own injury troubles, as well as a resurgent Giants squad who seem to be hitting their stride of late. If the Dodgers are still in first place coming into the All-Star break, it will be a testament to their depth. Plus more than a little bit of luck.