Dodgers' Mookie Betts Addresses Mystery Injury That Cost Him Series vs. Yankees
Dodgers' Mookie Betts Addresses Mystery Injury That Cost Him Series vs. Yankees originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts did not land on the injured list, but his brief absence still raised plenty of eyebrows.
Advertisement
Right before a marquee matchup against the New York Yankees, Los Angeles found itself down another star. First, Freddie Freeman slipped in the shower. Then, Betts was suddenly unavailable. The timing was Brutal. The reasoning is even more bizarre.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) celebrates after he scored a run against the Athletics during the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Betts finally addressed the incident on his podcast, On Base with Mookie Betts, alongside guest Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, and offered a surprisingly practical takeaway.
'Always bring a flashlight when you're walking in the dark,' Betts said. 'People stub their toes all the time. On beds, on walls, and usually, it's no big deal. But this time, it did real damage.'
Advertisement
The former MVP recounted the moment with painful clarity — that eerie beat before the pain kicks in, the wave of regret, the knowledge that this wasn't just a stub.
'I remember the seconds right after it happened,' he said. 'It didn't hurt right away, but when it did, I knew it was a bad one.'
Luckily, Betts avoided a stint on the injured list and returned to the field in less than a week, suiting up for Tuesday's game against the New York Mets. He did not miss a beat, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs in his first game back. He followed it up with a 0-for-4 performance in Wednesday's 6-1 loss versus New York.
Advertisement
Whether the toe continues to nag him is still unclear, but if Betts keeps performing like Tuesday's outing, the Dodgers will not hesitate to keep him in the lineup. Even slightly limited, he remains one of their most important players — just maybe one who now double-checks the lights at night.
Related: Dodgers Trade Idea Involves Acquiring Red Sox's Jarren Duran for Top Prospects
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
31 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Ex-Aaron Rodgers Teammate Allen Lazard Gets Cold Feet About Joining Steelers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After a game of cat and mouse that lasted two-and-a-half months, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally got their guy. The team announced on Thursday evening that it had signed four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, bringing an end to one of the lengthiest and most drama-filled storylines of the NFL offseason. But now that the Steelers have addressed their biggest area of need, another one requires their attention — the glaring hole at wide receiver opened up after the team traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys last month for third- and sixth-round picks. Several names have been floated as possible Pickens replacements over the last few weeks, but one that's been thrown out more than any other is current New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard, who's spent all seven seasons of his NFL career as Rodgers' teammate. And while it's easy to connect the dots on a potential Rodgers-Lazard reunion, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio recently revealed that Lazard may actually have some reservations about continuing to be tied at the hip to the 10-time Pro Bowl QB. "Per a source with knowledge of Lazard's thinking, he sees a very real potential benefit to proving his ability to function at an acceptable level without Rodgers as his quarterback," Florio reported. "That doesn't mean Lazard would reject the opportunity to play with Rodgers again. But it's not an automatic, knee-jerk, no-brainer. Lazard, at the end of the day, may prefer to make his own path." Allen Lazard #13 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates his touchdown with Aaron Rodgers #12 in the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 01, 2019 in East Rutherford, New... Allen Lazard #13 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates his touchdown with Aaron Rodgers #12 in the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 01, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. More PhotoThere's no question, Lazard is an effective weapon when paired with Rodgers. His two best seasons—2021 (40 catches, 513 yards, eight touchdowns) and 2022 (60 catches, 788 yards, six touchdowns)—were with a healthy, pre-Achilles injury Rodgers throwing him the ball. In fact, the one season Rodgers was injured and Lazard was catching passes from someone else, he had the worst season of his career (23 receptions, 311 yards, one TD). "Lazard has a well-earned reputation of being two different players. With Rodgers, good. Without Rodgers, not," Florio continued. "... He has a much better chance of [continuing his career] if he can take advantage of his opportunity with the Jets to prove that he can thrive without Rodgers as his quarterback." If Lazard is, in fact, a no-go for the Steelers, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes the team will be aggressive in its pursuit of landing Rodgers another offensive weapon. "I do expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to continue to search for one more weapon," Rapoport said on Friday. "... Jonnu Smith — there was a phone call there. Kyle Pitts — there was a phone call there. The Steelers are in the market for at least one more playmaker." For more NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers Urged to Trade for Former World Series Champion Andrew Heaney
Dodgers Urged to Trade for Former World Series Champion Andrew Heaney originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers' once-deep starting rotation has now turned into a patchwork project. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, they may turn to a familiar face to plug the holes. Advertisement R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently identified Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Andrew Heaney as a potential trade target for Los Angeles. As the Dodgers navigate injuries to Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, both on the 60-day injured list, Heaney would be an excellent addition due to his ability to eat innings. With health being a serious concern, Heaney has topped over 147 innings in the last two seasons and has already notched 66.1 innings this season – which would rank second behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the Dodgers. Heaney has been a steady presence for Pittsburgh in 2025, posting a sub-4.00 ERA for just the third time in his career. While his strikeout rate has dipped, from a career average of 9.3 K/9 to just 6.4 this season, he is inducing softer contact and limiting runs. His .242 batting average on balls in play is the lowest of his career. Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (45) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Frerker-Imagn Images Describing Heaney, Anderson called the 12-year veteran a "Rorschach test for how one evaluates pitchers." Advertisement "He's keeping runs off the board, but the swing-and-miss stuff has disappeared. And teams already viewed him with some skepticism, as evidenced by his one-year, $5 million deal last offseason." That skepticism may be something the Dodgers will not have an issue with since it would not be Heaney's first stint in Los Angeles. In 2022, he posted a 3.10 ERA and struck out 110 batters in just 72.2 innings. Although there will be more alluring names on the trade market, Heaney is a cheap rental arm that can fill a consistent spot in the rotation while the Dodgers' key starters work on returning. And even if his slot in the rotation is eventually filled by Glasnow, Snell, or Roki Sasaki, he can slide into a long-relief or spot-starter role and strengthen Los Angeles' pitching staff further. Related: Dodgers' Mookie Betts Addresses Mystery Injury That Cost Him Series vs. Yankees This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Makes Bold All-Star Claim About Andy Pages
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Makes Bold All-Star Claim About Andy Pages originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in sole possession of first place in the National League West. Powered by the league's number one offense, they boast multiple MVPs and arguably the most dangerous hitter in baseball – Shohei Ohtani. Advertisement Yet, as the pitching staff struggles with four starters having an ERA above 4.00, unsung heroes are stepping up and making a case for more of the spotlight. Look no further than outfielder Andy Pages. The former top prospect has taken on a prominent role in his sophomore campaign and is shining in the process. Already surpassing his rookie season baseball-reference WAR, Pages is well on his way to totaling more home runs and RBIs by season's end. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (44) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the second inning at Dodger Parkhurst-Imagn Images His production has made him a mainstay in an already stacked lineup. Following Thursday's win that capped off a four-game series split against the New York Mets, where Pages finished 7-for-17 with one home run, two RBIs, and scored the game-winning run, manager Dave Roberts praised the 24-year-old. Advertisement "Yeah, he is actually [playing like an All-Star]. 7-for-17, and there were a few lineouts in there," said Roberts. "He's just really swinging the bat well. Confidence is a big thing, and he is playing like an All-Star." Often overshadowed by Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nationals' James Woods, Pages belongs in the same conversation as one of MLB's rising stars. Over his last 10 games, Pages is batting .390 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and a 1.114 OPS. He has even climbed to ninth among outfielders with a season-long .833 OPS. That is higher than Oneil Cruz, Fernando Tatis, and Juan Soto. While an All-Star game may not be in his immediate future, it is time to recognize the arrival of Pages as a legitimate offensive threat. Advertisement Related: Dodgers Urged to Trade for Former World Series Champion Veteran Starter This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
