Dodgers Star Mookie Betts Lands on IL After Suffering Oblique Injury

Betts could miss 4-6 weeks with a right oblique strain, but the Dodgers have depth to cover his absence.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:06pm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed star outfielder Mookie Betts on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain suffered in Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals. While the team is hopeful Betts will return sooner, manager Dave Roberts said the injury could keep him out for 4-6 weeks.

Why it matters

Betts is one of the Dodgers' top offensive threats, so his absence will be a significant blow to the team's lineup. However, the Dodgers have depth in their roster and can turn to players like Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas to fill in at shortstop while Betts recovers.

The details

Betts left Saturday's game after walking and scoring in the first inning, with the team believing the injury occurred on a check swing. While Roberts is hesitant to put a firm timeline on Betts' return, the manager said the player is in better spirits and feels the injury is not as severe as previous oblique issues he has dealt with.

  • Betts was placed on the injured list on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Dodgers begin a series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Mookie Betts

A 33-year-old outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is one of the team's top offensive stars.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hyeseong Kim

A rookie infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Betts on the roster.

Miguel Rojas

An infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is expected to split time at shortstop with Kim while Betts is out.

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What they’re saying

“He's actually in better spirits. He's obviously disappointed, but just the way he feels today, I think he's had some dealings with that before and said it's better than he recalls in past experience, so that was encouraging.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

What’s next

The Dodgers will begin a series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, April 6, 2026, and Roberts said Kim is likely to start two of the three games in that series.

The takeaway

The Dodgers will have to find a way to replace Mookie Betts' production in the lineup during his absence, but the team's depth should allow them to weather the loss of their star outfielder. The injury highlights the importance of having a strong bench and versatile players who can fill in when key contributors go down.