Dodgers Option Alex Freeland To Bring Back Mookie Betts

The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Alex Freeland to Triple-A Oklahoma City in order to activate Mookie Betts off the 10-day injured list before the start of their four-game series with the San Francisco Giants, according to Jack Harris of the California Post.

Betts is back in the Dodgers lineup five weeks removed from the day he landed on the IL due to a right oblique strain. He returns after a brief rehab assignment with the Comets, playing back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.

Betts went a combined 2-for-5 with one walk and two strikeouts in those contests. He played five innings at shortstop on Friday, and six innings the following night. It marked the first time in Betts’ Dodgers career he went out on a rehab assignment, and only his second time overall.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated the plan is to ease the former American League MVP back into action at least through this week. Betts is expected to play Monday and Tuesday before receiving a day off.

Betts hit just .179/.281/.429 with one double, two home runs and seven RBI over eight games before suffering his oblique strain while running the bases.

Alex Freeland optioned for Mookie Betts

Betts’ injury created an opportunity for Hyeseong Kim to join the Dodgers after he lost a battle with Freeland to be included on the Opening Day roster.

Kim has performed well and Freeland was in the midst of improved production of late. That amounted to the Dodgers facing the difficult scenario of needing to decide which player remained on the roster. There also was the option of designating Santiago Espinal for assignment, but the team seemingly values having him as their 26th player.

“Obviously with Mookie coming, we’ve got a tough decision to make,” Roberts said on Sunday. “I think all of the options, potentially, the corresponding move, these guys have done a great job and served a very good purpose for our club. It’s a good problem in the sense of where we’re at, but it’s a potential tough conversation.”

Freeland hit .235/.309/.337 with four doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, 11 walks and 32 strikeouts over 33 games. There was some improvement over Freeland’s last 15 games as he batted .256/.360/.372.

Along with a more consistent showing from Kim, the Dodgers seemingly preferred to have the switch-hitter receive everyday opportunities with the Comets at this time. There also is the fact that Kim is who has made starts at shortstop, whereas Freeland was playing second base.

Granted, now Kim projects to receive opportunities at second base unless filling in at shortstop when Betts receives some rest.