Could eleventh: Betts has now been formally reinstated, with Freeland optioned because the corresponding transfer. Jack Harris of the California Submit reported earlier at present that Freeland could be despatched down for Betts.
Could tenth, 10:55pm: The Dodgers and Espinal renegotiated the 45-day deadline hooked up to the superior consent clause in Espinal’s contract, Katie Woo writes. Underneath the earlier clause, the Dodgers may have launched Espinal inside the first 45 days of his contract and owed the infielder solely the prorated portion of Espinal’s $2.5MM assured wage. The reworked clause pushed ahead that 45-day deadline, which Woo views as an indication that Espinal might be stored on the energetic roster, so Kim or Freeland might be optioned upon Betts’ return.
3:34pm: Mookie Betts has been out for over a month with a proper indirect pressure, however he’s now on the cusp of returning to the Dodgers. After two rehab video games, Betts is returning to Los Angeles at present and is predicted to be activated from the 10-day injured listing tomorrow, in response to Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Betts solely made 32 plate appearances with a 99 wRC+ earlier than touchdown on the 10-day injured listing on April 5. That’s a negligible pattern measurement by itself, although it additionally mirrors Betts’ diminished offensive output in 2025. In 150 video games, he batted .258/.326/.406 with a 104 wRC+. That also made Betts an above-average hitter, however to not the heights he has set in his profession. Betts gained the AL MVP award with the Crimson Sox in 2018 and was at the very least 31% higher than common by wRC+ in each season from 2019-24. It’s laborious to criticize a hitter for merely being barely above common, in fact, and Betts’ monitor file provides the Dodgers loads of confidence that he can return to regular as he distances himself from this damage.
There may be additionally motive to consider Betts was unfortunate final 12 months. For one factor, he batted simply .258 on balls in play, nicely under his profession BABIP of .299. Whereas Betts’ 89.1 MPH common exit velocity and 35.8% hard-hit fee have been each decrease than in 2024, his batting common, slugging share, and wOBA have been all 9-16 factors decrease than their anticipated values.
Betts’ relative lack of offensive pop was offset by his excellent defensive work at shortstop, and naturally he was nonetheless an enormous contributor to the Dodgers’ second consecutive World Sequence victory. Even this 12 months, shedding Betts for over a month hasn’t slowed Los Angeles down, because the 24-15 Dodgers are once more atop the NL West.
The duo of Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas have capably crammed in at shortstop throughout Betts’ absence, and Kim particularly has carried out nicely, hitting .301/.366/.411 over 82 PA this season. Rojas will return to backup infield obligation as soon as Betts is again at shortstop, leaving the Dodgers to resolve between Kim, Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland at second base. Kim and Freeland have minor league choices remaining, whereas Espinal (who has solely a .438 OPS over 34 PA) must be designated for project if faraway from the 26-man roster.
