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Dodgers Facing Decision After Mookie Betts News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 6:55 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again in the upper echelon of the NL standings, but star shortstop Mookie Betts isn't a big reason why. The 32-year-old is slashing just .238/.309/.370 with 11 homers and 45 RBI over 94 games.

For context, Betts' career slash line is .290/.369/.514, and he averages 24 homers and 73 RBI per 123 games played. The 5-foot-10-inch, 180-pounder has hit at least .264 each season since the Boston Red Sox traded him to the Dodgers in February 2020.

However, Los Angeles hasn't missed a beat thanks to the likes of catcher Will Smith, two-way star Shohei Ohtani, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and center fielder Andy Pages. Smith is second in baseball with a .323 batting average, Ohtani is tied for second with 37 homers, Freeman is tied for 10th with a .295 average, and Pages is tied for 29th at .284.

In short, the Dodgers have plenty of depth to make up for Betts' down year. That will also come in handy given Friday's announcement, via The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.

"Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is expected to arrive in Boston tomorrow around first pitch," he reported. "TBD if he will be in the lineup. He’s away from the team for personal reasons."

With Betts out for Friday's bout with the Red Sox, Los Angeles changed its batting order and defensive alignment.

Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is expected to arrive in Boston tomorrow around first pitch. TBD if he will be in the lineup. He’s away from the team for personal reasons.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 25, 2025

Roberts chose to keep Ohtani at leadoff as the designated hitter on Friday, with Miguel Rojas batting ninth at shortstop. Smith will bat second, where Betts has taken 352 of his 370 at-bats this season. Ohtani has taken 16 of his 395 at-bats at the second spot, while Smith has taken just five of his 266 at-bats there.

If the latter player is out on Saturday, the Dodgers could also put Hyeseong Kim at short. The 26-year-old primarily plays second base and center field, but he's made eight appearances at shortstop this season. He's hitting eighth and playing second on Friday. Additionally, they could slide Ohtani down to the second spot in the order.

Rojas is hitting .250 with six homers and 14 RBI this year, while Kim is hitting .313 with two homers and 15 RBI.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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