Los Angeles Dodgers: Time for Mookie Betts to hit the IL

This past weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers called in some reinforcements, adding both Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry to the lineup after both players sat on the Injured List (IL) for quite some time.

With some added roster depth, it begs the question if it’s time for another Dodger to spend some time on the IL. Could Mookie Betts benefit from a short rest?

In 2020, Betts was the catalyst for a potent Dodgers offense that helped the team win its first World Series in 32 years.

Betts was so good at all facets of the game that he collected a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and was second in the MVP voting race in the National League.

2021 has been a completely different story for Betts; at the time of this writing, his slash line of .240/.355/.427/.782 has him on pace to have the worst season of his career.

Betts continues to be plugged in the leadoff spot by manager Dave Roberts, but his slump has yet to dissipate.

Dodgers star Mookie Betts might need an IL trip to get right.

Betts has been especially terrible at home, hitting just .200 with an OPS at .684, and striking out 16 times while walking a mere 10 times. His inability to get on base has hurt the Dodgers offense, which has often looked anemic in the early part of the season.

Betts has gotten his regular days off, but what is concerning with no end in sight for his slump is the nagging shoulder soreness that caused him to miss two games in series against the San Francisco Giants a little over a week ago. This past weekend, Betts was a late scratch from the lineup because he either had “allergies” or an “allergic reaction” to something, further fueling concerns about his health.

For his part, Betts stated that health is not the reason for his batting woes in an article in The Athletic.

Betts’ pride may be masking that he isn’t fully 100 percent. After a sprint to the finish with 60 games and an added playoff round in 2020, perhaps Betts is feeling the effects of an unusual season.

An IL stint to get his shoulder back healthy and some rest might finally break him out of his slump.

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