First reported by The Los Angeles Times’ Kevin Baxter, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts met with manager Dave Roberts and President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman on Monday. The meeting came during a 4–3 loss to the Colorado Rockies, a game that featured defensive miscues and another rough outing from outfielder Teoscar Hernández.
After the loss, Roberts addressed Hernandez’s struggles in the outfield:
“He’s got to get better out there. There’s just no [other] way to put it,” Roberts said. “It’s not a lack of effort. But, you know, we’ve just got to kind of get better. We do.”
The details of Betts’ meeting with Roberts and Friedman remain unclear, but its timing suggests a push for better alignment between the clubhouse and front office. The Dodgers have dealt with injuries since Opening Day and continue to battle inconsistency in multiple areas, from bullpen reliability to defensive play, and poor offensive execution.
One possible adjustment under consideration is moving Betts back to right field, where he has won six Gold Glove Awards. The Dodgers’ current outfield of Hernández and Michael Conforto has struggled, with Conforto hitting just .190 and Hernández’s defense drawing criticism. A shift would likely place Hernández in left field while Alex Freeland and Miguel Rojas share shortstop duties.
The Dodgers face a crucial period in their schedule. After sweeping the Padres this past weekend, they seemed to be gaining momentum, but inconsistent play has kept the division race tight. The Dodgers are 71–54 with a two-game lead over the Padres (69–56) in the NL West.
The Dodgers will wrap up their four-game set with the Rockies on Thursday before heading to Petco Park for another showdown with San Diego. With the postseason push heating up, how the Dodgers manage their lineup and defensive alignment could prove decisive in the NL West race.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
