Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was scratched from the team's starting lineup shortly before their game against the Athletics on Wednesday night. The specific reason for his removal from the lineup, and the potential severity of any injury, were not immediately known.
Mookie Betts belts a solo homer in the first inning of the Dodgers' loss to the Padres.
The absence comes at a critical juncture for Betts, who had been showing a resurgence at the plate after missing approximately one month earlier in the season due to an oblique strain. In the 16 games leading up to Wednesday, Betts had posted a .373 batting average with five home runs, four doubles, and 11 runs batted in. During this recent stretch, his season batting average had climbed from .181 to .244, and his OPS had improved from .591 to .744.
Betts had also been a strong defensive presence at shortstop, accumulating eight defensive runs saved, ranking second among players at the position. Miguel Rojas was inserted into the lineup in Betts' place for Wednesday's contest.