Dave Roberts makes right Mookie Betts decision after flip-flopping on recent approach

Mookie Betts' return to the Dodgers lineup is finally upon us after almost two-month absence with a broken hand. Betts' progress has been blessedly smooth, with very few complications while he just had to give it time and let himself heal. Last week, Dave Roberts said his centerpiece star was expected to return to the lineup during the Dodgers' road trip to Milwaukee and Pittsburgh this week.

However, there was still some disagreement on where Betts would play upon his return. At the trade deadline, the Dodgers scooped up Tommy Edman, a Gold Glove shortstop, who is now on a rehab assignment in Triple-A after undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason. The smart thing, and the most obvious thing, to do would be to kick Betts back to second base or to the outfield, where he's a six-time Gold Glover.

However, the Dodgers seemed to dig their heels in with Betts at shortstop, given Gavin Lux's unbelievable surge that's earned him the right to stay at second base. Along with an exact date for Betts' return last week, Roberts confirmed he'd be headed back to shortstop when the time came.

However, just three days later, the Dodgers reversed course and said they're finally ready to close the book on the Mookie Betts shortstop experiment, and would be sending him back to the outfield.

Dodgers finally make the right call and send Mookie Betts back to the outfield

Roberts flip-flopped a couple of times before landing on what seems like the final decision; after the Dodgers acquired Edman, he noted that the roster now held two Gold Glove shortstops (Edman and Nick Ahmed), and the team would have to have a longer talk about where Betts would go. Just a few days later, he said he "saw Betts back and shortstop when he returns," before we got to where we are now.

Betts did allude to some disagreement between himself and management about the switch, saying it was a "mostly mutual" decision. It's hard to believe that Betts was the one to suggest moving back to the outfield, given the reverence with which he spoke about his turn at short. However, he also reiterated, "I just want to win," which makes it sound like even if there are indeed some hard feelings, Betts won't be making a stink about it to the press.

So we can finally say 'so long' to the Betts-shortstop era, and good riddance. He will undoubtedly be able to help the team more in the outfield, and it gives Edman a way to make a real, daily impact right from the jump.