The Los Angeles Dodgers made it official Monday that star Mookie Betts‘ broken hand will force him onto the injured list.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Betts is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks with the injury.
The former MVP and seven-time All-Star was drilled in the hand by a 97.9 m.p.h. fastball from Dan Altavilla and fell to the ground, writhing in extreme pain. Manager Dave Roberts didn’t know how much time Betts would miss but said the injury would not require surgery.
In Betts’ spot, the Dodgers recalled utility player Miguel Vargas from triple-A.
Betts was scheduled to see Dr. Steven Shin, a hand specialist, on Monday.
“I think that’s the first time I got hit in the hand so I wasn’t sure. I just went numb and it hurt,” Betts said when asked if he knew immediately the hand was broken. “Unfortunately, it’s broken. There’s (nothing) we can really do now.
“Just kind of up and in. I was holding my ground. Unfortunately, it hit me in the hand.”
Betts has been among MLB’s best players in 2024, posting an .892 OPS with 10 home runs through 72 games.
The Dodgers entered Monday atop the NL West with a 44-29 record.
This will be Betts’ first stint on the injured list in two years. He missed nearly three weeks in June 2022 with a cracked right rib.
“Obviously, I’ll be watching the boys, cheering them on, but other than that, it’s just rest, maybe use it as a mental break, be ready to go whenever it heals up,” Betts said.
— With files from The Associated Press