Jun 16, 2024, 8:50 p.m. ET
Former Dodgers MVP and seven-time All-Star Mookie Betts is hit in the left hand by a 97.9 mph fastball from Royals’ Dan Altavilla
LOS ANGELES — The shortstop Los Angeles Dodgers, Mookie BettsHE fractured the left hand when it was struck for launch during the seventh inning of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
The former MVP and seven-time All-Star was hit in the hand by a 97.9 mph fastball from Dan Altavilla and fell to the ground, writhing in extreme pain. Manager Dave Roberts did not know how much time Betts would miss, but he said the injury would not require surgery.
Betts made an appearance in the clubhouse after the Dodgers’ 3-0 victory with his left hand bandaged. He will see hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin on Monday.
“I think it’s the first time I’ve gotten my hand hit, so I wasn’t sure. I just went numb and it hurt,” Betts said when asked if he knew right away that the hand was broken. “Unfortunately, it’s ruined. There’s (nothing) we can really do now.
“Just up and in. I was holding steady. Unfortunately, it hit me on the hand.”
Betts went 0-for-3 on Sunday to lower his batting average to .304, ninth in the majors. He was fourth in on-base percentage (.405) and tied for fifth in hits (86).
“It’s a big blow. I feel bad for Mookie because he’s having an MVP-type season,” Roberts said.
The pitch hit Betts on the top of his hand, and the coaches and Roberts quickly ran out of the dugout to tend to him. Those watching on television and in the lower deck of Dodger Stadium could clearly hear the ball making contact with Betts’ hand.
“You never want your guys to get hit. But just from their reaction, I felt like this was different,” Roberts said.
Miguel Rojas will take over as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop and Kiké Hernández will also see time at the position.
Roberts said he would probably move Shohei Ohtani to the leadoff spot.
