Mookie Betts closes in on Dodgers return as Dave Roberts reveals key next step

The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a strong start in 2026, but it has come with a noticeable absence. Mookie Betts, now transitioning into an everyday shortstop role, has been out of the lineup since early April, missing 26 games with a right oblique strain. Even with a 21–13 start, the Dodgers have felt that gap. Betts is more than a former MVP. He sets the tone at the top of the order and stabilizes a position that still carries questions. Now, there is finally a clear sign that his return is getting closer.

Dave Roberts points to a turning point

Manager Dave Roberts offered the most encouraging update yet ahead of the Dodgers’ series against the Houston Astros. Betts is scheduled to face live pitching Thursday, a critical checkpoint in any hitter’s recovery process. If that session goes well, Roberts indicated a rehab assignment could begin shortly after. That matters because live pitching is often the final real test. It is where timing, reaction, and confidence all come back into play. Passing that stage usually signals that a return is no longer a question of “if,” but “when.”

A short start that turned into a long absence

Betts’ 2026 season barely had time to get going before it paused. He appeared in just eight games, hitting .179 with two home runs and a .710 OPS. Those numbers do not tell the full story. The transition to shortstop was still unfolding, and defensively, Betts had been perfect in limited action. The Dodgers were encouraged by how quickly he was adapting before the injury interrupted that progress. The setback came during an early April game against the Washington Nationals, when Betts exited after one inning. What initially appeared to be back discomfort was later diagnosed as a right oblique strain,  an injury that often requires patience more than anything else.

How the Dodgers have managed without him

In Betts’ absence, the Dodgers have pieced things together. Rookie Hyesong Kim has handled the bulk of the innings at shortstop, while veteran Miguel Rojas has filled in depending on matchups. It has not been a direct replacement for Betts’ production or presence, but it has been enough to keep the team steady in the standings. That depth has helped Los Angeles avoid a major dip, but it also highlights how much more complete the roster looks with Betts in it.

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Other injury updates shaping the roster

Roberts also shared updates on other injured players, giving a fuller picture of where the Dodgers stand. Infielder Enrique Hernandez is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon as he works back from a left elbow issue. Meanwhile, utility player Tommy Edman remains on a slower progression due to lingering soreness, with no firm timeline in place. It is a reminder that even a deep roster like Los Angeles is constantly adjusting.

What comes next for Betts and the Dodgers

If Betts clears his live pitching session without setbacks, the next step will likely come quickly. A rehab assignment would put him on track to rejoin the major league lineup in the near future. For a team already near the top of the National League West, that return could shift expectations. Adding Betts back into the lineup does not just improve production; it resets the entire structure of the roster, from batting order to defensive alignment.

For now, all eyes are on Thursday. It is a small step on paper, but for the Dodgers, it could mark the beginning of getting one of their most important players back.

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