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Dodgers Make Mookie Betts Decision Before White Sox Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 7:37 PM ET

Shortstop Mookie Betts is playing in his 12th major league season, his sixth as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, Betts quickly rose to stardom. In 2018 he captured American League MVP honors and led Boston to a World Series title in what many consider one of the game’s greatest single-season performances.

With free agency looming, the Red Sox traded Betts to Los Angeles in February 2020. The Dodgers immediately locked him up with a 12-year, $365 million extension, the richest deal in franchise history at the time.

Since joining L.A., Betts has added two more World Series rings (2020, 2024) and piled up two Gold Gloves and four All-Star selections. In March 2024, he officially switched to shortstop, to provide the team with lineup versatility.

The Dodgers are fresh off a 2–1 series win in Kansas City—their sixth straight series victory—though Mookie Betts went just 1-for-12 with three strikeouts in the three-game set.

Ahead of Tuesday’s opener against the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles gave Betts the day off, slotting Hyeseong Kim at shortstop.

Tonight's #Dodgers lineup vs. White Sox: pic.twitter.com/PqkoymLz7F
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 1, 2025

Betts has dipped to a .249 average and .707 OPS this season—both well below his career averages. The drop in production may be partially attributed to a stomach virus that saw him lose 20–25 pounds just before Opening Day and struggle to keep food down.

With Los Angeles sitting at 53–32—tied with Detroit for MLB’s best record—the club will be counting on Betts to rebound down the stretch as they chase back-to-back World Series titles.

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

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