Trending Now - Mookie Betts Departs Dodgers Game Early Due to Back Injury

WHO:

MLB.com - Mookie Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain.

MLB.com - Hyeseong Kim was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Betts' spot on the active roster.

MLB.com - Mookie Betts, shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers

NY Post - Mookie Betts

ESPN MLB - Mookie Betts

RotoWire MLB - Mookie Betts

WHAT:

MLB.com - Betts underwent an MRI that revealed the oblique strain, which the club believes he suffered on a checked swing.

MLB.com - Manager Dave Roberts stated that it was unlikely Betts would play in the next couple of days due to the turf at Rogers Centre being the Dodgers' next destination.

MLB.com - Mookie Betts had a single plate appearance in which he drew a walk and scored from first base on Freddie Freeman's two-run double before leaving the game.

MLB.com - The Dodgers won the game against the Washington Nationals with a score of 10-5 on April 4th, 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors - Manager Dave Roberts stated that Mookie Betts will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his back injury.

MLB Trade Rumors - Roberts described Betts' issue as “more moderate than significant” and indicated that Betts will miss at least the next couple of games to recover.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Dodgers are considering placing Betts on the injured list as a precaution, with a decision expected after the MRI results.

MLB Trade Rumors - Betts is currently hitting .179/.281/.429 with two home runs in 32 plate appearances for the 2026 season.

MLB.com - Mookie Betts had a 2-for-6 showing that included a go-ahead two-run homer on April 3rd, 2026, prior to his injury.

MLB Trade Rumors - Manager Dave Roberts indicated that the Dodgers will have another player on hand in Washington for the game on April 5th, 2026, in case Betts is placed on the injured list.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Dodgers are considering calling up Kim Hye-seong from Triple-A to join the team following Betts' injury.

Newsweek - The Dodgers are calling up South Korean star Kim Hye-seong to join the team following Mookie Betts' injury.

MLB Trade Rumors - Manager Dave Roberts stated that Mookie Betts will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his back injury.

MLB Trade Rumors - Roberts described Betts' issue as “more moderate than significant” and indicated that Betts will miss at least the next couple of games to recover.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Dodgers are considering placing Betts on the injured list as a precaution, with a decision expected after the MRI results.

MLB Trade Rumors - Betts is currently hitting .179/.281/.429 with two home runs in 32 plate appearances for the 2026 season.

MLB.com - The Dodgers won the game against the Washington Nationals with a score of 10-5 on April 4th, 2026.

MLB.com - Mookie Betts had a single plate appearance in which he drew a walk and scored from first base on Freddie Freeman's two-run double before leaving the game.

MLB.com - Mookie Betts was replaced in the field due to right lower back pain.

NY Post - Betts left the game against the Washington Nationals early with right lower back pain.

ESPN MLB - Betts exited the game after the top of the first inning because of back pain.

RotoWire MLB - Betts was removed from the game in the first inning with lower-back pain.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The game took place at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The incident occurred during a game on Saturday, April 4th, 2026.

ESPN MLB - Betts left the game after the top of the first inning on April 4th, 2026.

WHY:

MLB.com - Roberts expressed disappointment for Betts, stating, "Any time you miss, it's gonna take some time to get your footing."

MLB Trade Rumors - Roberts described Betts' back issue as “more moderate than significant,” suggesting a cautious approach to his recovery.

MLB.com - Betts was removed from the game due to experiencing right lower back pain.

HOW:

MLB.com - Rojas and Alex Freeland are additional options to fill in at shortstop alongside Kim.

MLB.com - If Betts misses time, Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland are the primary options on the active roster to fill in at shortstop.

MLB.com - Miguel Rojas replaced Mookie Betts at shortstop after he was removed from the game.

MLB.com - Betts was replaced at shortstop by Miguel Rojas after being removed from the game.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 19:08 UTC)

Mookie Betts has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain, which was confirmed by an MRI after he reportedly suffered the injury on a checked swing. In his absence, Hyeseong Kim has been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his spot on the active roster, while manager Dave Roberts mentioned that it’s unlikely Betts will be able to play in the next couple of days, especially with the Dodgers heading to the turf at Rogers Centre. Additionally, Roberts noted that Rojas and Alex Freeland are also options to fill in at shortstop alongside Kim during this time.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 17:04 UTC)

The Dodgers secured a victory against the Washington Nationals with a score of 10 to 5 on Saturday, but Mookie Betts left the game after a single plate appearance where he drew a walk and scored on Freddie Freeman's two-run double. Manager Dave Roberts announced that Betts will undergo an MRI to assess the extent of his back injury, which he described as "more moderate than significant," and indicated that Betts will miss at least the next couple of games to recover. The Dodgers are considering placing Betts on the injured list as a precaution, with a decision expected after the MRI results, while Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland are the primary options to fill in at shortstop if Betts is sidelined.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 11:03 UTC)

Mookie Betts had a standout performance on Friday, going two for six with a go-ahead two-run homer, but he is now dealing with a back issue that could sideline him. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that the team will have another player ready in Washington for the game on Sunday, as they consider calling up Kim Hye-seong from Triple-A to fill the gap if Betts is placed on the injured list. If Betts does miss time, Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland are expected to step in at shortstop.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 09:06 UTC)

The Dodgers are making a significant move by calling up South Korean star Kim Hye-seong to join the team. This decision comes in the wake of an injury to Mookie Betts, leaving a gap that Kim is expected to help fill. Fans are eager to see how the young player will perform in the major leagues.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 03:52 UTC)

Manager Dave Roberts announced that Mookie Betts will undergo an MRI to assess the extent of his back injury, which he described as “more moderate than significant.” Betts is expected to miss at least the next couple of games to recover, and the Dodgers are considering placing him on the injured list as a precaution, with a decision pending the MRI results. So far this season, Betts has a batting line of .179/.281/.429, including two home runs in 32 plate appearances.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 01:18 UTC)

The Dodgers secured a victory against the Washington Nationals with a score of 10 to 5 on Saturday. Mookie Betts had a brief appearance, drawing a walk and scoring from first base on Freddie Freeman's two-run double before being replaced by Miguel Rojas at shortstop. This win adds to the Dodgers' impressive season as they continue to make their mark in Major League Baseball.

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 23:02 UTC)

Mookie Betts, the shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, left the game against the Washington Nationals early on Saturday, due to right lower back pain. He exited after the top of the first inning at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., and was replaced by Miguel Rojas. This injury forced Betts to be removed from the game shortly after it began.