Featured Columnist IVJune 16, 2024
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Instances through Getty Pictures
It’s tough to exchange Mookie Betts’ influence atop a lineup, however the Los Angeles Dodgers could flip to arguably the perfect participant in baseball.
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts told reporters his “preliminary thought” is he’ll hit Shohei Ohtani within the leadoff spot whereas Betts is sidelined.
ESPN famous Betts suffered a fractured left hand throughout Sunday’s 3-0 victory over the Kansas Metropolis Royals. He was hit within the hand by a 97.9 mph fastball from Dan Altavilla, though the harm is not going to require surgical procedure.
Roberts mentioned there is no such thing as a precise timetable for return, though the absence might be “for a while.”
Los Angeles can do far worse than Ohtani in relation to discovering a substitute leadoff hitter.
The 2-time American League MVP is slashing .305/.377/.571 with 17 residence runs, 44 RBI and 15 stolen bases throughout his first season within the Nationwide League and brings pace, energy and the power to persistently get on base.
That’s precisely what groups need from their leadoff spot, so the Nationwide League West workforce ought to not less than be capable of tread water till the opposite star returns.
