Mookie Betts Back to Right Field for Dodgers
- Mookie Betts will switch positions from shortstop to right field.
- This change will take place when he returns to the Dodgers' lineup next week.
- Betts' move is anticipated to enhance the team's overall performance.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts is set to transition from shortstop back to his familiar position in right field when he rejoins the Los Angeles Dodgers next week. Manager Dave Roberts announced that Betts will make this switch during the Dodgers' upcoming four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, starting Monday. Roberts emphasized that Betts feels most confident playing in right field, a position he has excelled in throughout his career. Just days prior, Roberts had indicated that Betts would remain at shortstop upon his return from a broken left hand, which sidelined him since June 16. However, the decision to move him back to right field reflects a strategic shift aimed at maximizing Betts' performance. In the interim, Shohei Ohtani has taken over the leadoff spot, showcasing impressive stats with a .290 batting average, 15 home runs, and 35 RBIs since Betts' injury. Betts, who joined the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox in 2020, has expressed a preference for batting leadoff, a position he occupied shortly after his arrival. Before his injury, he was performing well, hitting .304 with 10 home runs in 72 games. The Dodgers' lineup is expected to feature Ohtani, Betts, and Freddie Freeman at the top, creating a formidable trio as they aim to maintain their lead in the NL West.