New Mookie Betts Injury Update From Dodgers' Dave Roberts Reveals Star's Status and Return Timeline

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to be without one of their top players for a while.

Per ESPN, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that star shortstop Mookie Betts is being placed on the injured list because of a strained right oblique. Roberts told reporters that the injury is expected to sideline Betts for four to six weeks, but he would "take the under" on his recovery timeline.

Betts exited Saturday's 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals in the top of the first inning after experiencing lower back pain. He had drawn a walk and scored a run on a two-run double by Freddie Freeman, but he didn't take the field in the bottom of the inning. He underwent an MRI that revealed his oblique injury.

Through his first eight games of the 2026 season, Betts hit .179 with two home runs and seven RBI. He was coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which he hit .258 with 20 homers and 82 RBI in 150 games.

Betts was replaced by veteran infielder Miguel Rojas in Saturday's game, and he's starting at shortstop in Sunday's series finale. The Dodgers also recalled infielder Hyeseong Kim from the minors to fill Betts' spot on the major league roster.

Los Angeles (6-2) will be trying to complete the series sweep on Sunday against Washington (3-5) as the team gets used to life without Betts.