The Los Angeles Dodgers had a modest two-game winning streak snapped with a loss to the Cleveland Guardians in extra innings, but perhaps of greater concern is Mookie Betts getting scratched from the lineup and not appearing due to a right rib contusion.
X-rays came back negative but Betts is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on Saturday for further clarity. Betts sustained the injury during a collision with Cody Bellinger during the first inning on Wednesday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Betts was dealing with “residual soreness” from his run-in with Bellinger and experienced pain while throwing and swinging. He was unavailable in Friday’s 2-1 loss and is considered day-to-day for the time being.
The collision sent Betts to the ground and knocked the ball come out of his glove for what was initially ruled a base hit but later changed to an error on Bellinger.
Betts didn’t show any signs of trouble as he remained in the game Wednesday and was among the players on hand for the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala the following night. He did finish 0-for-4 with one strikeout in the Freeway Series finale.
After a historic month of May, Betts is just 3-for-39 since having a four-game hitting streak snapped on June 5.
He previously had an injury scare in the middle of May when jamming his left shoulder and suffering a stinger when attempting to brace himself upon slipping while rounding second base. Betts hunched over and was checked on by Roberts and a Dodgers trainer, but remained in that game as well and continued playing in the ensuing days.
The 2018 American League MVP was bothered by a bone spur in his right hip throughout most of last season but made a full recovery during the offseason and has been pain-free this year.
Betts was in the initial Dodgers lineup on Saturday without undergoing the previously planned CT scan due to improving overnight. However, he wound up being scratched for a second consecutive game.
Anderson appreciated diving attempt by Betts
The play in which Betts sustained his rib contusion ultimately loomed large as the scoring change allowed Tyler Anderson to carry a no-hitter into the ninth inning.
Betts was then involved in the bid for history being broken up as he tried to make a diving catch on Shohei Ohtani’s line drive to right field that dropped for a one-out triple.
“You love it,” Anderson said of Betts’ diving attempt. “Obviously off the bat, you know it’s a hit, but you love the effort from Mookie. You can’t ask for anything more than that. He is a great defender, a great teammate. He’s the man.
“I kind of laughed that he dove for it. Like it’s a very nice gesture, but it was so far away.”
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