After breaking a toe, Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts hopes to return to action sooner than expected—possibly avoiding the injured list altogether. Baseball has long been a sport full of strange injuries, and even the best players aren’t immune to an unlucky break.
For the Dodgers, getting back arguably their second-best hitter not only strengthens the lineup but also lifts the clubhouse. For elite teams with championship expectations, every injury feels bigger.
Dodgers SS Mookie Betts Eyes Quick Return From Toe Fracture
Shohei Ohtani might be the Dodgers’ biggest name, but Betts could be the most valuable. His ability to play multiple positions—many at a Gold Glove level—makes him an irreplaceable part of the roster.
The seven-time Silver Slugger fractured the fourth toe on his left foot—basically his ring toe—after bumping into something in the dark at home, according to reports. Freak injury aside, any time Betts misses games, the Dodgers feel it. Still, the team seems to be recovering from its recent slump and is back in the win column. USA Today baseball insider Bob Nightengale gave a positive update on Betts’ status.
Mookie Betts says he’s feeling better and expects to be back in the Dodgers lineup in the next couple of days
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 1, 2025
The Dodgers are built for long seasons. They invest heavily in frontline talent while maintaining one of the deepest farm systems in the league. That depth has already paid off. Rookie Hyeseong Kim has stepped up in Betts’ absence, hitting .571 with one home run, four runs scored and two RBIs over his last seven plate appearances.
Kim’s speed and versatility give the Dodgers options once Betts returns. He could split time with Tommy Edman, who’s batting just .200 against lefties. He might also replace Edman outright for now. Or, Kim could push Michael Conforto—currently hitting just .178—out of the regular lineup. In some ways, Betts’ injury opened the door for Kim to show what he can do.
Betts’ return could come at the perfect time. The Dodgers are set to host the New York Mets, who just swept the Colorado Rockies. That four-game series carries more than just standings implications—it’s a rematch with postseason tension. The Mets want to prove they belong in the conversation, especially after the Dodgers eliminated them en route to the National League pennant last year.
The series could take on a playoff atmosphere, and seeing Betts run out at shortstop would only raise the stakes. While his current .254 average might not jump off the page, anyone who’s watched Betts knows he’s one hot at-bat away from breaking out.