Reactions to Mookie Betts’ hand injury

The Dodgers were able to pick up a series win against the Kansas City Royals this past weekend, but in the process lost Mookie Betts to a fractured hand.

Betts was plunked by Kansas City reliever Dan Altavilla on the hand, where Betts collapsed to the ground in pain and was able to leave the game under his own power. While manager Dave Roberts confirmed the fracture after the game, he did not provide a timetable for his return.

Let’s take a look at some of the reactions to Betts’ injury.

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register notes that Betts’ injury will provide more obstacles for a lineup that has struggled to score two or more runs in 11 of their past 30 games.

After a hot start to the season, Betts had been slumping. Over his past 16 games, he was just 11 for 61 (.180). But his loss will be hard to absorb for an offense that has been held to two runs or fewer 11 times in their past 30 games.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times provides Shohei Ohtani’s reaction to Betts’ injury.

“It’s very tough to see as a teammate,” Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter, said of Betts. “He’s obviously a very important part of the team. If he’s out for some time, it’s really up to the rest of the team to pick him up.”

As much as the injuries sustained to both Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto might jeopardize their chances at regular season dominance, Andy McCullough of The Athletic notes that the Dodgers’ priority should be making sure that both stars are available and healthy before the postseason arrives.

For a franchise that has reached the postseason in 11 consecutive postseasons but captured only one championship, all that matters is October… it’s all about October. The Dodgers will be there once more this year. Based on the preliminary medical reports, so will Betts and Yamamoto.

Sarah Wexler of MLB.com notes which players will handle shortstop responsibilities during Betts’ absence.

The Dodgers will now be without both parts of their left side of the infield, as third baseman Max Muncy remains out indefinitely with a right oblique strain. Miguel Rojas, who pinch-ran for Betts and took over for him in the field for the remaining two innings of the game, will get the bulk of the shortstop duties for now, with Kiké Hernández filling in at times. The Dodgers plan to recall Miguel Vargas from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill Betts’ place on the roster.