Mookie Betts Injury News: Shohei Ohtani Says ‘Leadership’ Will Change With Dodgers Short-Stop Ruled Out

With the Los Angeles Dodgers following a perfect script and leading in the NL West, it seems the injury scare is getting serious for them. In an incident against the Kanas City Royals, Mookie Betts found himself with a left-hand fracture on Sunday. Adding to the agony, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is also dealing with a rotator cuff strain, and yet again, the burden is on the backs of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. 

For the last three games, Shohei Ohtani has been the lead hitter for the team. Starting against the Colorado Rookies on Monday and other players not available, his form wasn’t compromised. Ohtani registered a win in each game and even got featured for the lead-off spot. He has hit seven runs in three games, having six RBIs and a single homie under his name.

Even though the Dodgers star has played to his true potential, the two-time MVP still feels that Bett’s injury is a ‘big hole’ for the Dodgers. Speaking about the loss of Mookie Betts, Ohtani noted, “It’s a hole that is not easy to fill, obviously with the leadership position he embodies. But we just have to find a way as a collective unit to cover him,” via his translator.

Covering the loss of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani will now lead the hitter lineup whenever he faces right-handed pitchers. Dan Altavilla throwing a 98 mph fastball clipped Mookie Betts’s left hand, breaking his hand’s bone. Right now, the injury seems serious and will take approximately six to eight weeks to heal completely. With the Dodgers limping over the absence of Max Muncy and pitcher Joe Kelly; another player loss adds to their woes. 

Reflecting on Mookie Bett’s performance, he has been exceptional. Slashing in the 2024 season at a line of .304/.405/.488, he even combined that with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 9 Stolen bases over the course of 72 games, and it’s sensational. But with his recent left-hand fracture, things look bleak for Mookie and the Dodgers.

Dodgers not able to capitalize on Shohei Ohtani’s return

As of now, for about six to eight weeks, the Dodgers will play without Mookie Betts, as confirmed by manager Dave Roberts. While Shohei Ohtani is trying his best to fill in the holes of his injured teammates, it seems that he might be falling short. During Ohtani’s recent match at the lead-off spot on Wednesday, he helped his team to get back up, after being trailed at 3-0.

Clearing his bases in the second innings, the team made three runs. Followed by Freddie Freemamn’s RBI single, the team looked in a comfortable position. However, despite Shohei Ohtani’s savior knock, the Dodgers lost 7-6 against the Colorado Rookies. Heading into Thursday’s game, the team was leading 2-0. But, in the end, it seemed like the loss was on the cards, considering the absence of Yamamoto and Mookie Betts. 

Ultimately, as the situation goes, the Dodgers manager must rethink the team’s lineup. With Shohei Ohtani leading the charge, he’s trying his best to make his team win. For Mookie Betts’s replacement, Miguel Rojas is the player to play at Bett’s shortstop position, and as Ohtani said, it’s a big void to fill. Do you think Miguel Rojas will be able to replicate the consistency offered by Betts, game after game? Share your thoughts below.