The Los Angeles Dodgers intend on returning Mookie Betts to their infield for the 2025 season, general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters on Wednesday.
Betts, 32, was supposed to play at second base this past season, but wound up being shifted to shortstop. An injury on June 16 where he fractured his left hand eventually saw him moved to the right field upon his return to play in early August.
A six-time Gold Glover in the outfield, Betts played 105 innings at second base in 2024, 531.1 innings at short and 338 innings in right.
He was most effective at short, registering three defensive runs saved at the position, compared to -1 at second and zero in the outfield.
Betts batted 289/.372/.491 during the regular season and had five hits in the Dodgers’ five-game World Series victory over the Yankees.
The Dodgers currently have capable middle infielders Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman and Gavin Lux on their roster, while the outfield consists of James Outman and Andy Pages. Edman and Taylor can both play the outfield, but with Teoscar Hernández currently a free agent, moving Betts back to the dirt signals that the Dodgers are due for some roster changes this off-season.