Mookie Betts Likely Out Monday After Being Scratched with Side Injury vs. Braves

Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts "probably" will miss Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after missing Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Braves with left side tightness.

Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reported word of Betts' status.

"Felt tightness in his side right before the game," manager Alex Cora said, per Smith. "So obviously we have to take care of him. As you know, when it's something like this, probably he won't play tomorrow just to make sure everything is fine and we'll go from there."

Blake Swihart filled in for Betts, playing left field, and Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. moved to center and right field, respectively. It was Swihart's first start in left this season.

Betts suffered a right shoulder contusion in the Red Sox's 6-1 win over the Texas Rangers on May 6 but didn't miss any time. Swihart replaced him on that occasion as well.

The two-time All-Star is enjoying a career year in 2018. His .359 batting average, .750 slugging percentage and 17 home runs are either tied for first or the best in MLB. Betts' 4.1 WAR is second to Mike Trout (4.4) among all position players as well, per FanGraphs.

Betts is a big reason the Red Sox own the best record (36-17) in baseball. Boston has gotten solid contributions from Benintendi and J.D. Martinez as well, but Betts is by far the one player the team can least afford to lose.