Dodgers Not Ruling Out Mookie Betts Playing Shortstop Upon Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ loss of Mookie Betts during last Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals is expected to keep him sidelined for around 6-to-8 weeks.

There were several motivating factors that could have driven the Dodgers to some sort of trade for a starting shortstop before the trade deadline before Betts’ injury. One reason was for another productive hitter in the Dodgers lineup, especially if the overall offense did not show any form of improvement.

A dip in Betts’ production at the plate possibly due to spending so much time learning and getting better at his new position could have also fueled a deal. Another was in the interest preserving his health by moving him out of the physically demanding shortstop position, and finally the general struggles of Gavin Lux.

The fact that Betts will be missing a significant amount of time could increase the chances that the Dodgers do pull the trigger on a deal if the price is right.

However, the Dodgers are not ready to give up on Betts as a shortstop in the event they don’t add a starter at the position, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times: