Dodgers famous person Mookie Betts moved from proper subject to a center infield position earlier than touchdown on the injured listing as a consequence of a left hand fracture in June. He’s set to return from the IL on Monday however might 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 choice, citing Betts’ consolation degree 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 enjoying, they’ve bought to really feel most assured,” Roberts mentioned. “And it’s a must to 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 subject versus at shortstop. And so, you take a look at how Gavin’s enjoying and he’s earned the suitable to proceed to play second base for us.”
Betts mentioned the dialog was principally mutual, per Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register, saying that “it’s a must to be actual with your self” and that he simply desires 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 nearly all of the previous decade turning into one of many higher gamers within the sport, profitable Gold Gloves in proper whereas additionally hitting at an elite degree, profitable 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serving as a wonderful proper fielder after being traded to the Dodgers however did sometimes toy together with his outdated spot on the keystone.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 sport there in 2020 after which seven video games in each 2021 and 2022. Final yr, the experiment took off a bit extra meaningfully. Due to some accidents to different gamers, Betts finally completed 2023 with simply over 700 innings in proper subject 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 state of affairs for Betts to aim to turn out to be an on a regular basis shortstop on a membership with World Sequence 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 damage. The evaluations 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 hearth 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 might have put Betts again at shortstop subsequent to Lux however 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 a good season with a .270/.314/.403 batting line and 103 wRC+. The membership additionally acquired Tommy Edman previous to the deadline and can have him round as another choice however he’s principally going to be enjoying heart 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 must be an on a regular basis participant in proper because the membership has Shohei Ohtani within the designated hitter spot. Teoscar Hernández might 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 a couple 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 sport 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.
