Mookie Betts is back in the Majors. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have activated their eight-time All-Star, designating Amed Rosario for assignment to make room on the roster.
Betts will start in right field for the Dodgers after the team reversed course on its intention to play him at shortstop upon his return. He will bat second between Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the Dodgers' batting order. This marks the first time since 2020 that Betts will hit second.
The Los Angeles outfielder has been out since June 16 with a fractured hand. Through 72 games, Betts is hitting .304 with 10 home runs and an .892 OPS.
Betts' return to the MLB roster comes without the former MVP playing any rehab games in the minors. He took part in a couple simulated games last week with the plan to rejoin the team in Milwaukee.
Betts spent the bulk of his time earlier in the season at shortstop. He was still adjusting to the position at the time of his injury. He told reporters earlier in the week that while he enjoyed the challenge, it was more important to him that the Dodgers be in position to win.
“I loved the challenge of playing shortstop, but you also have to be real with yourself and the team and do what’s best,” Betts said. “That’s what I’ve preached from the beginning. All I want to do is win. I just feel like Miggy and Nick Ahmed being there; that’s winning baseball.”
With Betts back in the lineup, the Dodgers have positioned themselves well for the stretch run of the season. Fresh off a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles comes into play on Monday with a 3.5-game lead over the Diamondbacks and Pirates in the NL East.
On the other end, it appears Rosario's time with the Dodgers is over. If that is the case, then his tenure in LA lasted just five games. The Dodgers acquired him in July in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. He went 3-11 with a double in 12 plate appearances for Los Angeles and was hitting .306 on the season.
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