Misryoum reports that Mookie Betts’ return from an oblique injury could be close, potentially reshaping the Dodgers’ lineup decisions.
Dodgers fans may soon get a familiar sight back on the field: Mookie Betts could be nearing a return timeline after an oblique injury has sidelined him for weeks.
Betts suffered the strain in early April during a road game against the Washington Nationals following a checked swing.. Since then. he has not played. and his rehabilitation assignment has not yet begun with the organization’s lower-league team. leaving Los Angeles fans watching for the first clear sign of progress.
In this context, an imminent return matters not just for star power, but for roster stability. When a key player is out, even small lineup shifts can ripple through pitching plans, defensive alignments, and the day-to-day choices coaches make at the margins.
Misryoum reports that the Dodgers are tracking a possible return around their upcoming series with the San Francisco Giants. If Betts is cleared in time, he would likely be used in the lineup as the team aims to reassemble the core pieces that have carried its postseason expectations.
The path back could include a short rehab stretch with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, with games scheduled on Friday and Saturday. From there, Betts would return to Los Angeles to be evaluated for readiness as the team weighs whether he can immediately handle a full workload.
That decision point is a major one for any club: bringing a player back too soon can risk setbacks, while waiting can leave the team adjusting longer than necessary. Either way, the organization’s timing choices will shape how quickly the Dodgers can regain their rhythm.
If Betts returns to the active roster this weekend, Los Angeles would also have to make a corresponding move. The roster cut would likely come from within the infield group, with the decision potentially falling to players such as Alex Freeland, Kim Hye-seong, or veteran Santiago Espinal.
The most likely point of pressure is performance-based. Betts’ reinstatement would force the Dodgers to decide who can best absorb the changes, particularly if one of those infielders has struggled to produce offensively following earlier expectations.
Meanwhile, the competition may not be limited to Betts’ position. With Tommy Edman expected to return sometime this summer after ankle surgery, the Dodgers could soon face another wave of lineup adjustments, keeping the internal race for roles and at-bats closely watched.