Mookie Betts is moving back to right field and adjusting to a new spot in the lineup after missing almost two months with a broken left hand. So far, the Los Angeles Dodgers star is adapting well.
Betts returned from the injured list on Monday and showed he was in good form during a 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He went 2 for 4 with a two-run homer and an RBI single.
The eight-time All-Star also made a great play in right field. This was noteworthy since he had mostly played shortstop this year before he was hit by a 98 mph fastball from Kansas City Royals reliever Dan Altavilla on June 16.
“Obviously, it’s a lot more fun writing his name in the lineup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Betts, who has often batted leadoff in his career, is now batting second, behind two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani.
Roberts said before the game he wanted the right-handed-hitting Betts between the left-handed-hitting Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Ohtani did well as the leadoff hitter while Betts was injured.
On Monday night, Ohtani, who batted in front of Betts, hit his NL-leading 36th home run, hitting a 3-0 pitch for the first time in his career. When asked if it felt strange to bat second instead of first, Betts thought for a moment before answering.
“No, because it’s Shohei in front of me,” he said. “Whatever he’s got, whatever he wants to do, he can do.”
Betts welcomed the move back to right field, even though he feels he has proven he can also play shortstop well.
