The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced Mookie Betts’ return to the team from the injured list, sending down Alex Freeland in the process.
Betts has been on the injured list since early April, when he left a game against the Washington Nationals early in the Dodgers’ third series of the season. He has spent his time since recovering, and the Dodgers brought him back on schedule following his rehab assignment in Triple-A.
Even before his rehab assignment with the Comets, though, the Dodgers were pretty confident in his return for the first game of LA’s three-game set against the San Francisco Giants.
Prior to his injury, Betts had just begun to figure things out on offense following a rough few games in March. He went 2-for-6 in his last full game against the Nationals on April 3, where he hit his first run of the season in a Dodgers rout.
On the year, Betts has a .179/.281/.429 slash line, good for a .710 OPS. Betts will bat second in the Dodgers’ series opener against the Giants.
Why Did the Dodgers Send Down Freeland?
The Dodgers had a choice to make when Betts returned, and Freeland drew the short straw.
He hasn’t been terrible by any means this season—certainly outperforming infielder Santiago Espinal on offense and providing a well above average glove—but also hasn’t blown anyone out of the water with his performances and plays a position in which the Dodgers have plenty of depth.
Freeland has two homers and eight RBIs through 33 games this season, posting a .646 OPS through 98 at-bats. He has exclusively played second base for the Dodgers, who will now likely use Miguel Rojas and Hyeseong Kim in a platoon at the position.
Being optioned isn’t terrible for Freeland, though, as he can guarantee playing time in Triple-A and will look to put a solid run of games together as he aims to break into the Dodgers’ lineup as a regular.
In the meantime, the Dodgers will look to rediscover their offense and put an end to the struggles which have seen them drop into a tie for first in the NL West with the San Diego Padres. Betts will hope to make an impact as the Dodgers look to take an early advantage against their divisional opponent. First pitch for Monday’s game comes at 7:10 p.m. PT.
Are you excited to see Mookie Betts back in action for the Dodgers tonight?
