LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ victory by 3-0 on the Royals on Sunday was overshadowed by star shortstop Mookie Betts’ broken left hand.
Manager Dave Roberts said Betts will not need surgery and the injury would not be season-ending, but there is no estimated timetable for his return to action.
“He’s just going to need rest and let the bones heal,” Roberts said.
Facing right-hander Dan Altavilla in the bottom of the seventh inning, Betts was hit by a 97.9 mph fastball in his left hand and immediately fell to the ground, visibly in pain. While manager Dave Roberts and a trainer examined him, Betts remained on the ground for some time before being able to get up and walk off the field. He was replaced by Venezuelan Miguel Rojas, who eventually occupied the shortstop position for the remaining two innings of the game.
“Obviously, I’ll be watching the guys, cheering them on,” said Betts, whose hand was bandaged after the game. “But other than that, it’s just rest, maybe use it as a mental break. Be ready for when it heals.”
Los Angeles’ leadoff hitter and one of its most consistent players, Betts was hitting .304 with an .893 OPS this year. He is tied for third on the team with 10 home runs. With six Gold Gloves in right field, he has performed ably in his first full season as a shortstop.
It was already a difficult day for the Dodgers on the injury front, as before the game, they placed the right-handed pitchers on the injured list Yoshinobu Yamamoto (rotator cuff tear) and Michael Grove (right intercostal strain).
