LOS ANGELES — Star outfielder Mookie Betts is expected to make his comeback Monday as the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a four-game matchup with the San Francisco Giants, following more than a month on the sidelines due to a strained right oblique muscle.
The veteran player’s last appearance came on April 4 during a 10-5 victory over Washington, where he sustained the injury. Despite struggling at the plate with a .179 batting average, two homers, and seven RBIs across eight contests before getting hurt, manager Dave Roberts plans to slot Betts into the second or third position in the lineup.
Roberts has not announced which player will be optioned to make room on the roster for the return of Betts, who captured American League MVP honors in 2018 and has four World Series rings. Players Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and Santiago Espinal have successfully shared duties in the middle infield during his recovery period.
“It’s a good problem in a sense of where we’re at, but it’s a potential tough conversation,” Roberts commented Sunday prior to wrapping up their three-game set against Atlanta.
The All-Star completed his minor league rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, collecting two hits in five at-bats along with a walk over two games.
