Dodgers famous person Mookie Betts moved from proper subject to a center infield function earlier than touchdown on the injured checklist as a consequence of a left hand fracture in June. He’s set to return from the IL on Monday however will likely be moved again to proper subject, per supervisor Dave Roberts. Juan Toribio of MLB.com was amongst these to relay the information.
Roberts defined that he and Betts had a dialog concerning the determination, 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.
“Every participant, wherever they’re taking part in, they’ve bought to really feel most assured,” Roberts stated. “And you must then, clearly, layer in what’s finest for the ball membership. And I feel that, the place we’re at, he’s most assured, proper now, in proper subject versus at shortstop. And so, you take a look at how Gavin’s taking part in and he’s earned the best to proceed to play second base for us.”
Betts stated the dialog was largely mutual, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, 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 Purple Sox’s system however was blocked by Dustin Pedroia and was moved to proper subject. He then spent the vast majority 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serving as a wonderful proper fielder after being traded to the Dodgers however did sometimes toy together with his outdated spot on the keystone.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 ultimately completed 2023 with simply over 700 innings in proper subject but additionally 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 first 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 critiques on the glovework have been combined, 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 unbelievable 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 by means of July 7 however has put up a monster slash of .377/.450/.638 since then.
The Dodgers might 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 wonderful 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 may have him round as another choice however he’s largely going to be taking part in middle subject, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
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 powerful defender in proper, 132 Defensive Runs Saved and 54 Outs Above Common in his profession, however his transfer is likely to 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 typically.
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 will likely be in left subject whereas Andy Pages, Jason Heyward, Edman and Kiermaier additionally decide up a while.
Though the Dodgers as soon as had a nine-game lead within the Nationwide League West, it has tightened of late, thanks to some stumbles from the Dodgers and a few sturdy 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 sturdy and Betts returning 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.
