WASHINGTON, DC – The Dodgers are facing a significant issue: age.
This isn’t likely to change anytime soon, regardless of what the MRI says about Mookie Betts’ back injury that kept him sidelined during Saturday’s 10-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.
Betts, who is 33, may be headed for injured reserve just eight games into the season, raising fresh worries about the team’s future.
If things don’t unfold as the Dodgers had planned over the next few months, age could be a principal factor.
It seemed like the Dodgers were on a roll, but Betts’ sudden exit served as a stark reminder that their pursuit of a third consecutive title might be jeopardized.
In the first inning, with Kyle Tucker at second base, Betts was on first when Freddie Freeman hit a ball into right-center, allowing both Tucker and Betts to score. After reaching the bench, manager Dave Roberts praised Betts for his walk, but shortly after, he learned of the injury.
“He felt it while running,” Roberts mentioned.
Although Roberts deemed the injury “definitely more moderate than serious,” he noted it was “unlikely” that Betts would play in Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals. The manager acknowledged that this could be a drawback for Betts.
“If you don’t succeed, you’ll need some time to regain your footing,” Roberts added.
This situation isn’t ideal for Betts, especially considering he’s coming off a less-than-stellar year.
What stood out about Betts’ back issue was its unexpected nature. Forget about his .179 batting average—Betts had seemed to be back.
He appeared to have regained muscle mass that he lost when he battled norovirus early last season, particularly in his upper body. He demonstrated his former power, hitting an opposite-field home run at Dodger Stadium and sending a shot into the Nationals’ bullpen. His performance at shortstop has been better than ever; in fact, an observer might not even know he’d switched from the outfield.
“I feel bad for him. We were just starting to get into a groove, and he’s a crucial part of our strategy,” Roberts remarked.
However, just when Betts was gearing up for a long season, he faced a startling setback during an 80-meter sprint.
Age takes its toll on players, and Betts isn’t alone—many key team members are also approaching the twilight of their careers.
The Dodgers aimed to defy aging, with the front office encouraging players to emphasize recovery during the offseason so they’d arrive at training camp in better shape.
Teoscar Hernandez, 33, has shed some weight since last year, benefiting from it with several infield singles. Max Muncy, 35, has also dropped pounds and appears to be moving more effectively.
Freddie Freeman, at 36, has encountered some bad luck, reflected in a .242 batting average. Yet, he’s contributing to the lineup and is playing first base at a level reminiscent of when he first joined the Dodgers. Miguel Rojas, 37, looks poised to take on the primary shortstop role while Betts is out.
What happened to Betts is a reminder of how quickly things can shift, emphasizing the necessity of Roberts’ practice of occasionally resting veteran players. On Saturday, Hernandez took a break, allowing Alex Cole into the lineup.
The Dodgers boast the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani, and have the most powerful offense in the league, along with a rotation that features four Cy Young Award-winning pitchers.
Yet, they also face challenges due to their aging roster. It’s not just about whether they stumble, but rather when. With the World Series over six months away, they’re trying to hold it together, but one key player is already down.
