Apr 06, 2026
3 min read
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed star shortstop Mookie Betts on the injured list with an oblique strain and recalled Hyesung Kim from Triple-A.
WASHINGTON -- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Sunday morning that Mookie Betts is on the injured list.
And that his injury was different, and possibly worse, than the team initially feared.
After leaving Saturday's game with what the club initially described as a lower right hamstring strain, Betts underwent an MRI Saturday night that revealed the correct type of injury.
The good news is that Bates arrived at the ballpark on Sunday feeling better than he thought he would.There is no specific timeline yet for how long he will be out, but Roberts said he could be out for four to six weeks.
Hyeseong Kim was called up from Triple A to replace Betts on the current roster.
"Obviously he's disappointed, but the way he's feeling today, and I think he's had some dealings (with bad injuries) in the past, he said it's better than he remembers the experience, so that's encouraging," Roberts said.
Betts, 33, left Saturday's game in the top of the first inning when he felt something on his back while running from first base to score on Freddie Freeman's double.
Without him, the Dodgers have holes at both shortstop and No. 3 in their batting order.
Defensively, Roberts said he's keeping righty Miguel Rojas (who was in the starting lineup Sunday) and lefty Kim for some time, leaving second baseman Alex Freeland in an everyday role.
With the lineup in place, Roberts was still considering options.On Sunday, Rojas finished second and Teoscar Hernandez third;However, it was affected by Will Smith, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncie all receiving scheduled days off.
"He's Mookie Betts, so he definitely changes (the dynamic of the offense)," Roberts said."But that's the great thing about depth that a lot of teams don't have. It's not bad to be able to get a spot and feel like you have good combinations."
Betts got off to a slow start statistically this season, batting just .179 before getting hurt.However, he already had two home runs, and was showing encouraging signs for a career-worst performance last year.
Now the Dodgers will rely on production from two young outfielders who spent the spring battling for their last spot, and Freeland and Kim will get plenty of new opportunities.
Download the California Post app, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
Facebook to send sports to California Instagram, TikTok YouTube X
California Post opinion
California Post Newsletter: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign Up Here!
Freeland led the team in home runs, hitting a home run and doubling in his first game.But since then he's just 1-for-13 with three walks.Betts' injury will give him the opportunity to play more often against lefties.
Kim joins the Dodgers after opening the year in triple-A to continue working on overhauling his swing.He was hitting .346 (9-for-26) with a double, two RBI and four walks with the club's Oklahoma City affiliate.Importantly, his strikeout rate was also better, striking out only seven times in his first 32 plate appearances.
"Just play well," Roberts said when asked what he wanted to see from Kim.“Walk when they're there, control the strike zone.And don't expect us to carry ourselves.Just be the player you are, bring energy."
