Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hit by pitch, fractures hand but will not need surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts fractured his left hand in Sunday’s 3-0 win against the Kansas City Royals after being hit by a 97.9 mph fastball.

Royals reliever Dan Altavilla’s pitch hit Betts during the shortstop’s at-bat in the seventh inning. Betts immediately fell to the ground in pain and stayed down for a few minutes as manager Dave Roberts and a trainer examined him before he headed to the dugout. Pinch runner Miguel Rojas replaced Betts for the remainder of the game.

Roberts could not provide a timeline for Betts’ recovery. He said Betts will not need surgery and it is not a season-ending injury.

“I’ll be watching the boys and cheering them on,” Betts said of his absence while recovering. “Other than that, just kind of rest, maybe use it as a mental break and be ready to go whenever it heals up.”

Mookie Betts was hit in the hand by a 98mph fastball and had to leave the game 😬

🎥 @TalkinBaseball pic.twitter.com/kRokolhrho

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 16, 2024

Earlier in the day, the Dodgers placed starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list with a strained rotator cuff. The move comes one day after he exited his start early due to triceps tightness.

Los Angeles also placed pitcher Michael Grove on the IL with a lat injury, after he pitched two innings Saturday.

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The Dodgers won Sunday’s series finale against the Royals thanks to home runs from superstar Shohei Ohtani, who hit two solo shots, and Freddie Freeman. With the win, the Dodgers improved to 43-29 while the Royals fell to 41-32.

Betts, 31, entered Sunday hitting .307 with 40 RBIs and 10 home runs through 71 games.

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(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)