Dodgers star Mookie Betts suffers a fractured wrist after getting hit by a 98mph fastball
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts suffered a broken hand when he was hit with a 90 mph fastball during Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
However, there is good news for baseball’s best leadoff hitter: Betts won’t need surgery.
Addressing reporters with a bandage on his left wrist, Betts said this was the first time he had ever been hit in the hand, so he wasn’t initially sure if it was broken.
“I think that was the first time I was hit in the hand, so I wasn’t sure. “I just went numb and it hurt,” Betts said. ‘Unfortunately it’s broken. There’s (nothing) we can really do right now.
“Just a little up and down. I stood my ground. Unfortunately it hit me in the hand.’
Betts now faces an indefinite period on the IL. The two-time World Series champion currently has a batting average of .304 and an on-base percentage of .405, which rank ninth and fourth respectively in Major League Baseball.
Mookie Betts, right, is hit by a pitch next to Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin
There’s good news for baseball’s best leadoff hitter: Betts won’t need surgery
“It’s just resting and letting the bones heal,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters.
The incident occurred during LA’s 3-0 win over the Royals at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. Betts was facing right-hander Dan Altavilla on a 1-2 count when a fastball landed on his hands and went straight to his left leg.
Betts immediately fell to the ground in obvious pain.
Afterwards, Altavilla emphasized that he had no reason or desire to endorse Betts.
“Absolutely no intention,” Altavilla told reporters. “I tried to go in in a 1-2 count, but it slipped out of my hand. I really hope he’s doing well.’
According to MLB.com, Betts plans to see orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Shin at Cedars-Sinai.
Although he has never broken a hand, Betts played shortly after breaking a rib, as he did in 2022, when he spent 15 days on the IL before returning. “Obviously I’ll be watching the guys and cheering them on,” said Betts, whose hand was wrapped after the game. “But other than that it’s just kind of a rest, maybe use it as a mental break. Be ready to go as soon as it heals.”
At 44-29, the Dodgers have a commanding eight-game lead in the National League West.