Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says shortstop Mookie Betts will undergo an MRI on Saturday night after a potential back injury. Betts left Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals in the first inning, with the team citing “right low back pain.”
Roberts confirmed to reporters postgame that Betts’ injury happened as he rounded the bases on a Freddie Freeman RBI double, which gave L.A. a 2-0 lead early in the game. After stepping on home plate, Betts walked back to the dugout pretty slowly, and was taken out of the game not long afterwards.
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Miguel Rojas then stepped in for Betts at shortstop to start the bottom of the first. The Dodgers went on to win 10-5.
Roberts described the injury as more “moderate” rather than serious, but said that Betts is not expected to play the next few games. The Dodgers close out their series against the Nationals on Sunday, before traveling to Toronto to play against the Blue Jays on Monday.
Roberts also said that the team will likely call up another player to cover for Betts in the meantime — most likely utility prospect Hyeseong Kim, who the Dodgers optioned to the minors to start the season to make room for Alex Freeland.
