The Los Angeles Dodgers have done well in the first two months of the campaign, but Mookie Betts is not performing at his usual high level with the bat. The three-time World Series winner was shifted from the outfield to play as the starting shortstop of the team.
Betts made a fine start to the season despite returning from an illness. However, he has been going through a slump over the past couple of weeks, while he was also sidelined for a short period due to injury.
Mookie Betts Dismisses Playing Shortstop As the Cause Behind His Offensive Struggles
On Thursday, the Dodgers delivered a gritty performance to come from behind and grab a 6-5 win over the New York Mets to split their four-game homestand. Betts batted 2-2 in the game, with two walks and two runs scored, besides driving the first run for his team.
The eight-time All-Star did not feature in the opening clash of the series after missing four games due to a fractured toe. He went 4-11 in the three games that he played, which probably signals that he is emerging from his recent slump.
So far, Betts has played exclusively as a shortstop for the Dodgers this year. Previously, he had batted 7-34 in the eight games before he returned from the injury for the series against the Mets.
However, Betts does not believe his subpar performance with the bat is a result of him switching to the infield this season. The six-time Gold Glove winner feels he was putting a lot more effort into his defense during practice last year compared to now. “Last year, I was going to win an MVP. So, you can’t really argue about that,” Betts told reporters after the game. “I was doing way more work last year than now.”
“That’s not the case. You can try and point out whatever you want to do, but there are no excuses. It’s just a matter of me getting it done.”
“The main thing is we won today, it may not look pretty but we got the W.”
Mookie Betts (2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB) speaks with the media after the Dodgers comeback and defeat the Mets 6-5 to split the 4-game series. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/zQzL5LFgJj
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 5, 2025
The Dodgers had initially moved Betts from his regular defensive position at right field to become their shortstop to help balance their lineup. The former Boston Red Sox superstar had hardly played the position before in the major leagues.
However, Betts had to spend nearly two months on the IL after fracturing his left hand on a hit by pitch in June. He was shifted back to the outfield upon returning from the injury before the Dodgers went on to win the World Series.
Betts had enjoyed a bright start to the 2024 season but ultimately finished in 13th place in the National League MVP race due to the injury. He posted 4.8 bWAR from 116 games while batting .289/.372/ .491 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 144.