Dodgers' Mookie Betts Activated from Injured List; Rosario DFA'd 2 Weeks After Trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for Mookie Betts' return.

The team announced on social media Monday that it has activated the Betts from the injured list, also designating infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario for assignment.

Los Angeles acquired Rosario from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the trade deadline and he played just five games with the Dodgers. In 11 at-bats, he had three hits and a run.

Rosario was in his second stint with the Dodgers, as he was also acquired at the 2023 trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians. He has hit well this season, recording a .305 batting average across his time with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.

Ultimately, the Dodgers needed to make room on the roster for Betts, and they felt Rosario was someone they could move on from as they gear up for the postseason.

Betts has been out since June after a 97-mph fastball from Kansas City Royals reliever Dan Altavilla left him with a broken left hand. The veteran had 10 homers, 40 RBI and a .304 batting average in 72 games before the injury.

Upon his return, Betts will return to his familiar position in the outfield rather than playing shortstop, manager Dave Roberts said on Friday.

"He is most confident right now in right field versus at shortstop," Roberts said.

The Dodgers experimented with Betts at shortstop to start the season despite him having not played the position since high school.

Los Angeles announced Monday that Betts will play right field and hit second in the order behind Shohei Ohtani against the Milwaukee Brewers.

While the Dodgers still sit in first place in the NL West, they have struggled for much of the last month. Their lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres has shrunk significantly and they now lead the division by just 3.5 games.

With a sparkplug like Betts back in the lineup, Los Angeles will look to regain its composure as it begins the final stretch of the season.