Already with a buy-in from Mookie Betts to play second base this year, the Los Angeles Dodgers benefitted from his willingness to do whatever the team asks when he was flipped over to shortstop instead due to Gavin Lux’s throwing struggles.
However, there is now the potential for Betts to face some change upon his return from a fractured left hand that is expected to keep him on the injured list into August.
“Nah, I don’t care,” answered Betts when asked if he has given any thought to his role moving forward. “The boys are playing good. So right now, I belong where I am, somewhere sitting down.
“So as long as they win, we win. I don’t care when I come back. I can do anything but catch.”
Miguel Rojas was putting together a productive season off the bench prior to Betts’ injury, and has continued to perform well since taking over the starting job at shortstop. It’s prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to consider moving Betts back to second base.
“It can’t be harder than anything I’ve taken on this year,” Betts said. “So it doesn’t matter. Anything’s going to be hard at this point, so I’m up for whatever challenge.”
The 31-year-old also would embrace returning to right field, where he’s won six career Gold Glove Awards.
“If they want me to go out there, I can go out there too,” Betts said. “Like I said, at this point I feel like I can do pretty much anything out there. Especially if I can get some work at it. So whatever it takes to have the best team out there.”
Mookie Betts in SportsNet LA broadcast booth
Not long after speaking with media for the first time since sustaining his hand fracture, Betts joined Joe Davis and Eric Karros in the SportsNet LA booth. He spent five innings on the broadcast and touched on various topics, including the process of learning to play shortstop, favorite podcasts guests, not wanting to have an at-bat against Joe Kelly, and more.
“Give myself something to do,” Betts said of moonlighting as an analyst. “Maybe that’s something for a post-career, I don’t know. I’m getting myself busy, for sure.”
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