Los Angeles Dodgers Provide Encouraging Injury Update on Mookie Betts After Late Scratch From Monday Night’s Game Against Colorado Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a sigh of relief to fans on Monday night, offering a positive update on the health of superstar Mookie Betts after he was scratched from the starting lineup against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Betts, one of the most dynamic and essential players in the Dodgers’ lineup, was a last-minute removal due to what the team initially described as “right wrist soreness,” sparking concern throughout the fanbase and the baseball world at large.

Given Betts’ pivotal role on both sides of the ball—as a Gold Glove-caliber right fielder and an electric leadoff hitter—the news of his scratch was initially met with understandable anxiety. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed reporters shortly before the first pitch, aiming to downplay fears of a long-term injury. Roberts explained that Betts felt some discomfort in his wrist during pregame warmups and that the team made a precautionary decision to sit him out for the night.

“We didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks,” Roberts said. “Mookie came in, mentioned some mild soreness in the wrist, and at this point in the season, it just didn’t make sense to push it. The imaging was clean, and there’s nothing structurally wrong. That’s the good news.”

Roberts also confirmed that Betts underwent a full evaluation with the team’s medical staff and that X-rays and other scans revealed no serious damage. The team considers Betts day-to-day, and he could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday, depending on how he responds to treatment and how the wrist feels during batting practice.

“He’s doing fine,” Roberts added. “There’s no talk of the injured list. We’re just being cautious because he’s so important to what we’re doing here. We’ll re-evaluate in the morning and go from there.”

That message of cautious optimism resonated loudly in the clubhouse and among Dodgers fans, who have already endured a spate of injury issues in the early portion of the 2025 season. While the team boasts one of the deepest rosters in Major League Baseball, there’s simply no replacing a player of Betts’ caliber. Since joining the Dodgers in a blockbuster trade from Boston prior to the 2020 season, Betts has been a game-changer in every sense. His combination of power, speed, defensive wizardry, and leadership has made him the face of the franchise alongside fellow superstar Freddie Freeman.

So far in 2025, Betts has been off to another All-Star caliber campaign, entering Monday night’s game batting .304 with nine home runs, 31 RBIs, and an OPS north of .900. He’s also stolen 10 bases and continues to set the tone at the top of the Dodgers’ lineup with his discipline at the plate and aggressive baserunning. Losing Betts for any stretch of time would have created a significant void, both in terms of production and clubhouse leadership.

That’s part of why Monday night’s scratch drew immediate attention. Fans noticed Betts was missing from the announced lineup just before first pitch, and social media quickly erupted with speculation. Some wondered if he had tweaked something during batting practice, while others feared it could be a flare-up of a chronic issue. Wrist injuries in baseball can be particularly troublesome, especially for hitters, as they can sap power and make it difficult to handle inside pitches.

Fortunately, the Dodgers appear to have dodged a bullet. According to team sources, Betts alerted trainers to the soreness during his usual pregame work, and there was no single moment of impact or trauma that caused the issue. That absence of a clear cause, combined with clean imaging results, supports the belief that it may just be a minor overuse issue or inflammation—something common during the long, grueling baseball season.

“Honestly, I’m glad he spoke up when he did,” Roberts said. “You never want a guy to play through something that could get worse. Especially with Mookie, who always wants to be out there. That’s just who he is. But he was smart about this, and now we’ve got a chance to get ahead of it.”

The Dodgers’ medical team treated Betts with ice and anti-inflammatories and will monitor his progress closely over the next 24–48 hours. He was seen in the dugout during the game, in uniform, talking and laughing with teammates, which further reinforced the impression that the issue was not serious. If there had been any immediate concern of a long-term injury, the Dodgers would have likely kept him away from field activity entirely.

With Betts sidelined for the night, Roberts turned to Chris Taylor in the leadoff spot and started utility man Miguel Rojas in right field. While neither player can replicate Betts’ offensive firepower or defensive prowess, both are seasoned veterans capable of stepping into key roles when called upon. That flexibility is one of the hallmarks of the Dodgers’ roster construction, but even they would acknowledge that losing Betts for an extended stretch would present a major challenge.

The Dodgers went on to win Monday night’s game 5–2, with stellar pitching from Tyler Glasnow and timely hitting from Freeman and Max Muncy. But the story after the game remained Betts, and the clubhouse mood was noticeably lighter after Roberts reiterated that his star outfielder was likely to avoid a stint on the injured list.

Freeman, who has played alongside Betts for several seasons now, said he wasn’t worried after speaking with him during the game.

“He said he’s good,” Freeman said. “Honestly, Mookie is one of the toughest guys I know. If he says it’s not a big deal, I trust him. He’ll be back soon.”

The Dodgers are in the midst of a critical stretch of the season, with several games coming up against division rivals and contenders from the National League. Protecting their stars—and avoiding unnecessary risks—has become a key part of their strategy. While every game matters in the standings, particularly in the ultra-competitive NL West, the big picture always looms large. For the Dodgers, the goal is another deep playoff run and potentially a second World Series title in five years. Ensuring Betts is healthy for that stretch matters far more than any one game in June.

Los Angeles has already had to navigate the absence of ace Walker Buehler, who is continuing his comeback from elbow surgery, and outfielder Jason Heyward, who has been out with a lower back injury. Adding Betts to the list of unavailable players would have been a significant blow, especially with the team looking to build momentum heading into the heart of the summer schedule.

Instead, Monday brought a rare piece of good injury news. While fans will undoubtedly hold their breath until Betts is officially back in the lineup, all signs point to this being a short-term precaution rather than a long-term concern. The Dodgers’ medical and coaching staff have earned a reputation for being particularly cautious with their stars, often opting for rest and treatment at the first sign of trouble rather than letting minor injuries linger and worsen.

That approach appears to have paid off once again. By taking action quickly and not allowing Betts to play through pain, the Dodgers may have prevented a more serious situation from developing.

Roberts closed his remarks with a note of confidence. “Mookie’s a pro. He knows his body better than anyone. We’re not going to take chances with him, but everything we’re seeing tells us he’s going to be just fine.”

For Dodgers fans, that statement provided exactly the reassurance they needed. In a season that will ultimately be judged by how the team performs in October, keeping Betts healthy and productive is priority No. 1. And for now, at least, that mission is right on track.