The Boston Red Sox are set to welcome back Mookie Betts, a franchise legend, as the Los Angeles Dodgers visit Fenway Park. However, fans may need to wait a little longer for his return, as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Betts might miss the series opener on Friday due to personal matters.
Roberts noted that there are “some things going on” that may keep Betts away, assuring fans that everything is okay with the star player. “We’ll see,” he added, leaving the situation uncertain.
Betts, who began his illustrious career in Boston, enjoyed six exceptional seasons with the Red Sox where he achieved a .301 batting average, four consecutive All-Star selections, and multiple Gold Glove awards between 2016 and 2019. He made history in 2018 as Boston’s second American League MVP of the 21st century, boasting a .346 batting average with 32 home runs and leading the Red Sox to a World Series title against the Dodgers.
Since being traded to the Dodgers in 2020, Betts has added further accolades to his resume, including four additional All-Star appearances and two more Gold Gloves. However, he has faced challenges this season at the plate, currently posting a career-low .238 batting average and experiencing a 12-game home run drought. Despite these struggles, he has shown versatility by adapting to a new position at shortstop.
The highly anticipated series between the Red Sox and Dodgers is generating excitement, especially with the storyline of Betts’ return. If he is unable to participate on Friday, he is expected to play in Saturday’s game against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Fans remain hopeful that Betts will be back on the field soon, continuing to build on his significant legacy in the sport.