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Dodgers Shortstop Sidelined with Back Pain

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Katherine Wacker | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 10:02 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without shortstop Mookie Betts for at least a few games. He experienced lower back pain while scoring from first on a Freddie Freeman double. The veteran will have an MRI on Saturday night to determine the extent of the injury. It is unknown if a stint on the injured list will be necessary. Manager Dave Roberts called the symptoms “more moderate than concerning.” Hyeseong Kim will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in case he is needed, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Mookie Betts Day-to-Day with Back Injury

The Injury Bug Bites Again

This is the second time in two years that Mookie Betts has been sidelined by injury or health concerns early in the season. He had a virus in 2025 that caused him to miss the opening series in Japan. The illness made him lose more than 20 pounds. Hopefully, this injury is less severe, and the time Betts will be more cautious. Betts, by his own admission, had a down year offensively last year. The perennial All-Star has a career batting average of .290. Last year, it was nearly 30 points lower. Likewise, he had a slow inaugural week, hitting below .200. However, he was showing signs of breaking out during yesterday’s game, going 2-for-6, including a home run.

Dodgers will likely have a player ready tomorrow regardless of Betts’ MRI results. Hyeseong Kim is the logical candidate. https://t.co/KPpOtrLD1n

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) April 4, 2026

The Door is Open

Kim has another chance to make a good impression. He was sent down to the minors at the end of spring training after a much-watched position battle with Alex Freeland. Kim needed to work on his at-bat quality, refine his swing, and get some defensive time in center field. For what it is worth, he is hitting .346, including a game where he went 5-for-5 with a home run.