Heading into July, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 56-30 and first place in the National League West. They have won their last four games in a row and are on the verge of sweeping the Athletics.
One of the biggest reasons for the team’s success across June was shortstop Mookie Betts. The 33-year-old got off to a rocky start this season but has turned it around recently.
In 71 plate appearances since June 13, Betts has been scorching hot. He is batting .373 with a .657 slugging percentage and a 1.065 OPS. This includes five home runs and 11 RBIs.
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It seems like vintage Mookie Betts has been back the last couple of weeks after a disappointing 2025 and start to 2026.
However, the Dodgers received some bad news ahead of Wednesday’s game in Sacramento. Betts was originally batting cleanup and playing shortstop but has now been taken out of the order due to wrist soreness.
The news was reported by Jack Harris of The California Post. It came out about two hours after the original lineup was posted. Miguel Rojas will now start at shortstop and bat eighth.
It is an interesting development, given that Betts was in the lineup at first. Roberts made no comment about Betts’ availability off the bench, but it seems unlikely.
The new Los Angeles lineup will be facing Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn in his 16th start of the season. Ginn is 6-4 with a 3.15 ERA, striking out 78 and walking 36 in 88 ⅔ innings pitched on the bump.
Betts’ next chance to play will be Thursday night at home against the rival San Diego Padres. Not much is known about the nature of the injury yet, although more information will certainly be available after Wednesday’s game and before Thursday’s.
If Betts is to miss some time, Rojas will be the primary shortstop. In the season following his dramatic game-tying home run in Game 7 of the World Series, the 37-year-old is hitting well enough.
In 58 games, Rojas is slashing .279/.333/.410 (.743 OPS) with three home runs and 15 RBIs. His defense at shortstop remains serviceable.
