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Watch: Dodgers' Betts leaves game after taking pitch to hand
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) reacts after being hit by pitch from Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla (54) during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Dodgers' Mookie Betts leaves game after taking 98 mph pitch to hand

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a major potential problem to worry about on Sunday after star shortstop Mookie Betts had to leave their game against the Kansas City Royals after taking a 98 mph fastball to his left hand. 

Betts was hitting in the bottom of the seventh inning when a Dan Altavilla fastball rode in on him and struck his hand.

Betts immediately dropped to the ground and was writhing in pain for several minutes before being helped off the field. As he walked off the field he could be seen trying to close his hand and at one point stopped and hunched over again in pain. 

Here is a look at the pitch, and you can tell by the sound of the pitching hitting him, as well as the reaction of the Dodgers broadcast, that it does not seem good. 

Betts is having another huge year for the Dodgers and at the time of his exit from Sunday's game was hitting .304 with an .893 OPS. He is one of three former MVP winners at the top of the Dodgers lineup, joining Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. That trio helps form one of the most imposing lineups in the league. 

If Betts has to miss any significant time the Dodgers would still have a top-tier lineup and be one of the best teams in the National League, but that would be a significant loss. Their only hope at this point is that it does not turn out to be as bad as it looked or sounded. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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