Dodgers News: Mookie to IL

LOS ANGELES, CA — At the time, he laughed it off. Now, maybe it’s not so funny. After being hurt in an in-game collision with Cody Bellinger on Thursday night, Mookie Betts is going to be put on the Injured List, the latest blow in rough patch, health-wise, for the hometown Dodgers.

Betts sat the last two ballgames against the Guardians, but manager Dave Roberts had said that he didn’t expect the injury to be serious and that the star centerfielder would be getting an MRI to evaluate the extent of the injury.

Cody Bellinger/Mookie Betts Collision pic.twitter.com/u8RLkSp3oz

— Mad Choriyama (@MadChoriyama) June 16, 2022

However, after Saturday’s win against Cleveland, Doc revealed that Betts’s MRI showed a crack in his ribcage, and as such, he would be put immediately be put on the Injured List. To fill the roster spot left in Betts’ absence, Roberts indicated that utilityman Zach McKinstry would be recalled from OKC.

Roberts stated that was still unclear whether the injury is a hairline fracture, or a larger break, but the loss will be significant regardless. Betts is batting .273 this season with 17 home runs, 40 RBIs and six stolen bases for a team that is battling for first place in the National League West with the Padres.

Rib injuries can be tricky, as they often linger and prevent full freedom of movement, so needless to say, it is not great news. “You’re taking one of the best players in baseball out of the lineup,” Roberts said in a postgame interview. “It’s a big blow, but at least we know what we’re dealing with and we’re going to get him back sooner rather than later.”

Back when Dave Roberts went on the Dan Patrick show before the season began, he guaranteed that the Dodgers would win the World Series if everybody stays healthy.

Well… that path to the series just got a little trickier.