Mookie Betts eyes a bounce-back year at the plate

Dodgers shortstop looks to rebound after career-low offensive numbers in 2025 season

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Dodgers star Mookie Betts is eager to bounce back in 2026 after a down year at the plate in 2025. With a more typical spring training timeline this year, Betts can ease into his seventh season with the Dodgers and focus on getting healthy and helping the team win a championship.

Why it matters

Betts is a key part of the Dodgers' lineup and a perennial MVP candidate. After struggling with a stomach virus and the transition to shortstop in 2025, his return to form could be crucial to the Dodgers' chances of winning another World Series title.

The details

Betts hit just .258 with a .326 on-base percentage and .732 OPS in 2025, all career lows. However, he picked up the pace late in the season, batting .317 with 20 home runs over his final 47 games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects Betts to be in the MVP conversation in 2026 and plans to slot him third in the batting order, behind leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani.

  • Betts won't be participating in the World Baseball Classic this year, unlike 2023.
  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the team's first spring training game on Saturday against the Angels.

The players

Mookie Betts

A six-time All-Star and former MVP, Betts is a key part of the Dodgers' lineup and a perennial MVP candidate.

Dave Roberts

The Dodgers' manager, who is bullish on Betts' bounce-back potential in 2026.

Freddie Freeman

The Dodgers' first baseman, who will not play in the team's first three spring training games as they slow-play his ramp-up.

Will Smith

The Dodgers' catcher, who is expected to start in the team's Cactus League opener on Saturday.

Teoscar Hernández

The Dodgers' new outfielder, who is also expected to start in Saturday's spring training game.

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What they’re saying

“He will be in the MVP conversation this year. But again, I think, speaking for Mookie, his main goal is to help us win a championship. So, I think whatever falls out from there, I think that will happen. I just want him to focus on just being healthy, helping us win, and then whatever happens outside of that, will happen.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager (latimes.com)

“I haven't had a regular spring maybe since I've been a Dodger. I just know that, being 33 now, I don't have to hurry up and get here, and be ready to play from day one. So, I can just kind of embrace that. Not everybody's blessed to have that, so being that I am one of the ones that's blessed with that, I'll see what I can make of it.”

— Mookie Betts (latimes.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.