Dodgers celebrity Mookie Betts moved from proper area to a center infield function earlier than touchdown on the injured listing on account of a left hand fracture in June. He’s set to return from the IL on Monday however shall be moved again to proper area, per supervisor Dave Roberts. Juan Toribio of MLB.com was amongst these to relay the information on X.
Roberts defined that he and Betts had a dialog in regards to the resolution, citing Betts’ consolation stage in addition to the improved efficiency of Gavin Lux as a part of the reasoning. J.P. Hoornstra of Dodgers Nation relayed video of the feedback on X.
“Every participant, wherever they’re enjoying, they’ve bought to really feel most assured,” Roberts stated. “And you must then, clearly, layer in what’s greatest for the ball membership. And I believe that, the place we’re at, he’s most assured, proper now, in proper area versus at shortstop. And so, you have a look at how Gavin’s enjoying and he’s earned the appropriate to proceed to play second base for us.” Betts stated the dialog was principally mutual, per Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register on X, saying that “you must be actual with your self” and that he simply needs to win.
Betts performed loads of second base as a prospect within the Pink Sox’ system however was blocked by Dustin Pedroia and was moved to proper area. He then spent nearly all of the previous decade changing into one of many higher gamers within the sport, successful Gold Gloves in proper whereas additionally hitting at an elite stage, successful American League MVP in 2018.
He continued serving as a superb proper fielder after being traded to the Dodgers however did sometimes toy together with his previous spot on the keystone. He bought into one recreation there in 2020 after which seven video games in each 2021 and 2022. Final yr, the experiment took off a bit extra meaningfully. Because of some accidents to different gamers, Betts finally completed 2023 with simply over 700 innings in proper area but in addition 485 at second base and 98 at shortstop, his first main league innings on the shortstop place.
The Dodgers have been clearly happy by the work Betts did there as a result of, in December, Roberts declared him the membership’s on a regular basis second baseman. Lux was deliberate to be the first shortstop however he struggled together with his throws in Spring Coaching and the membership determined in the primary week of March to flip him and Betts.
It was a reasonably unprecedented scenario for Betts to try to develop into an on a regular basis shortstop on a membership with World Collection aspirations throughout his age-31 season, however he didn’t appear fazed by it. He slashed .304/.405/.488 in 72 video games for a 155 wRC+ earlier than his harm. The evaluations on the glovework have been blended, as he was credited with 4 Defensive Runs Saved however -5 Outs Above Common. However for him to be even satisfactory at what is taken into account to be the game’s most demanding place with so little expertise and at this stage of his profession was a testomony to his unimaginable athleticism.
However with out Betts for roughly the previous two months, the image has modified. As Roberts alluded to, Lux has caught fireplace on the plate. He was hitting simply .207/.263/.282 via July 7 however has put up a monster slash of .377/.450/.638 since then.
The Dodgers may have put Betts again at shortstop subsequent to Lux nevertheless it appears they like to roll with the duo of Miguel Rojas and Nick Ahmed there. Each are glorious defenders who haven’t hit a lot of their careers, however Rojas is having an honest season with a .270/.314/.403 batting line and 103 wRC+. The membership additionally acquired Tommy Edman previous to the deadline and could have him round as another choice however he’s principally going to be enjoying middle area, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic on X.
The outfield combine has been a bit extra shaky this yr, with guys like James Outman, Enrique Hernández and Chris Taylor having tough years. The Dodgers acquired Kevin Kiermaier from the Blue Jays previous to the deadline, however he’s additionally having a tricky yr on the plate. Betts is a robust defender in proper, 132 Defensive Runs Saved and 54 Outs Above Common in his profession, however his transfer may be extra about bumping these guys out of the lineup in favor of Rojas. The truth that the Dodgers even had that option to make illustrates the worth of Betts and why golf equipment crave versatility usually.
As soon as Betts is able to be reinstated, he ought to be an on a regular basis participant in proper because the membership has Shohei Ohtani within the designated hitter spot. Teoscar Hernández shall be in left area whereas Andy Pages, Jason Heyward, Edman and Kiermaier additionally decide up a while.
Although the Dodgers as soon as had a nine-game lead within the Nationwide League West, it has tightened of late, thanks to a couple stumbles from the Dodgers and a few robust play elsewhere. The Padres are simply 2.5 video games again and the Diamondbacks are only one recreation behind the Friars, 3.5 video games again of the Dodgers. Even the Giants are simply eight video games off the division lead at this level. The Dodgers’ roster continues to be robust and returning Betts will clearly be a assist, although the membership is making an attempt to make use of its flexibility to optimize issues for the stretch run.
