Mookie Betts continues to have conversations with Dave Roberts and Los Angeles Dodgers brass.
Yet, the Dodgers manager confirmed he has not spoken to Betts about moving back to right field amid Teoscar Hernández’s ongoing defensive struggles there and Michael Conforto’s season-long slump.
Betts has been the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop — playing the infield’s most important position each day for the first time in his 12-season big-league career. He is on pace to have his worst offensive season, since he is slashing .242/.312/.370 with just 13 home runs and an OPS+ of 91 — 100 is average.
What Did Dave Roberts Say About Mookie Betts Playing The Outfield?
Though he filled in sporadically in the infield as a member of the Dodgers, Betts has been a right fielder for nearly his entire career, winning six Gold Gloves and the MLB Defensive Player of the Year.
Yet, with Hernández ranking near the bottom of MLB right fielders in defensive metrics while moving from his primary position of left field to make room for Conforto, who has a sub-.200 batting average and OPS+ of 76, the whispers for Betts to go back to right are getting louder.
Yet, according to Roberts, he has not even broached the subject of Betts going to right field.
“Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is in his office ‘all the time,’” Dodgers beat reporter Fabian Ardaya reported on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. “Was the case when he was slumping and heâs wanted to check in with him frequently even though his swinging it better. Said he has not discussed right field at all with Betts at any point this season.”
Roberts admitted the concerns about Hernández’s defense are valid, and critics are right to ask about Betts’ position switch. He also didn’t rule out the possibility of Betts going back there, since he played 70 games in the infield in 2024 before going back to right field full time for the final 42 and the entire postseason.
âI think thatâs a fair question,â Roberts said. âBut I donât think weâre there yet.”
Who Would Play Shortstop For The Dodgers If Mookie Betts Moved Back To Right Field?
Shohei Ohtani is the Dodgers’ everyday designated hitter, and he is likely to win his second straight National League MVP award at that position.
So that makes moving the team’s players around a little bit tricky, especially with the team’s surplus of injuries. Ardaya reported Roberts’ concern about that fact.
“Roberts pointed to the lack of options in the Dodgersâ infield, which is without Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, Kiké Hernández and Max Muncy,” Ardaya reported. “The Dodgers are reluctant to put Miguel Rojas into an everyday role at age 36, especially when he was far from 100 percent last postseason. Theyâve already forced prospect Alex Freeland into what is essentially an everyday role to make up for their absences, and would exacerbate that by moving Betts to the outfield.”
Roberts said the team needs to do better “in totality,” taking some of the heat off of Hernández. But, Roberts wants Hernández’s bat in the lineup, and the manager is confident his defense will keep improving.
“I do know that Teo feels more comfortable in right,” Roberts said. “I know the numbers donât speak to it this year. Iâm counting on him to improve play out there. I really am. Iâll leave it at that.”
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