How long is Mookie Betts out? Latest injury updates on Dodgers star's fractured hand after being hit by pitch

Kyle Irving

How long is Mookie Betts out? Latest injury updates on Dodgers star's fractured hand after being hit by pitch image

The Dodgers will be without superstar shortstop Mookie Betts for the foreseeable future.

Betts left Los Angeles' game against the Royals on Sunday, June 16, in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch. Betts dropped straight to the ground after being clocked in the hand by a 98-mph fastball from Kansas City reliever Dan Altavilla.

This injury is a major blow to a Dodgers team with World Series-or-bust expectations. Betts was the NL MVP frontrunner, hitting .307 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, and nine stolen bases through the first 71 games of the 2024 season.

How serious is Betts' injury? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.

What is Mookie Betts' injury?

Betts was plunked by a 98-mph fastball from Royals reliever Altavilla on June 16. He was immediately removed from the game and taken for X-rays.

After the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Betts suffered a fractured left hand.

How long is Mookie Betts out?

Despite the bad news that Betts fractured his left hand, Dodgers manager Roberts said the injury would not require surgery and is not season-ending, per Dodgers host Kirsten Watson.

Betts still spoke with the media after the game, trying to keep his spirits up about the severity of the ailment.

"I'll be watching the boys and cheering them on. Other than that, just kind of rest, maybe use it as a mental break and be ready to go whenever it heals up."

Betts added that there is no timeline for his return. "I'll go see the doctor [on Monday, June 17] and we'll know more. Right now, it's just, let it heal."

Typically, broken hands take 6-8 weeks to heal, depending on the severity and exact location of the break.

Who will replace Mookie Betts in Dodgers' lineup?

Miguel Rojas replaced Betts on Sunday after the star exited the game, and he's listed as No. 2 on L.A.'s depth chart at shortstop. With Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor on the roster — as well as newcomer Cavan Biggio, who's been filling in for Max Muncy (oblique) at third base — the Dodgers have no shortage of similar options to man short.

While none can hope to come close to replicating Betts' offensive production, Rojas has been by far the best hitter of the bunch this year (.278/.328/.444 with three home runs in 102 at-bats). The Dodgers could also look to the minors and eventually call up 24-year-old infield prospect Trey Sweeney, who's hitting .238/.326/.418 with 10 HRs and 12 SBs at Triple-A this season. In the meantime, they'll re-call Miguel Vargas for more depth.

L.A.'s offense will obviously take a big hit losing Betts atop the lineup, so the best they can hope is to piece things together and get even bigger contributions from Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, and Shohei Ohtani, who will likely move up to the leadoff spot.

Mookie Betts stats 2024

Betts was the favorite to win NL MVP before the injury. The 31-year-old superstar had seamlessly transitioned to Los Angeles' starting shortstop this season after playing outfield or second base for the majority of his career.

You can find his 2024 stats below.

  • 71 games played (of 73 possible games)
  • 86 hits
  • 50 runs
  • 10 home runs
  • 40 runs batted in
  • 9 stolen bases
  • .307 batting average
  • .407 on-base percentage
  • .493 slugging percentage
  • .900 OPS
  • 3.8 bWAR
  • 3.4 fWAR

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.