Mookie Betts Status Update: Dodgers Remove Shortstop From Lineup Before Angels Game
The Los Angeles Dodgers are winners of four-straight and sit at 28-18, first in the National League West, heading into Sunday's Freeway Series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Dave Roberts is giving shortstop Mookie Betts the day off for the series-closing contest at Angel Stadium.
Betts returned from the injured list on May 11 after missing more than five weeks with a right oblique strain he suffered on April 4 against the Washington Nationals. Roberts indicated at the time that the 33-year-old would not be playing every day once he returned to the club. Since coming back, the shortstop has appeared in five of the Dodgers' six games, batting .182 with two home runs, including a solo shot in Saturday's 15-2 blowout win.
Will Smith and Mookie Betts get a day off as the Dodgers go for the sweep. pic.twitter.com/Z0LxLSurbp
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) May 17, 2026
With Betts sitting out Sunday, Miguel Rojas will start at shortstop. Catcher Will Smith is also out of the lineup, with Dalton Rushing stepping in behind the plate. Andy Pages moves up to the No.3 spot and Kyle Tucker returns after getting Saturday off.
The Dodgers send Roki Sasaki to the mound for the series final opposite right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who will make his 2026 debut with the Angels. Rodriguez has not appeared in a major league game since July 2024, as he has been working back from multiple arm injuries. He allowed three runs over 9 2/3 innings across two rehab outings before being activated by the Angels.
The Angels enter Sunday at 16-30, losers of five-straight after being outscored 21-2 in the first two games of the series. The Dodgers are looking to continue their winning streak as they head to San Diego on Monday in a battle for the top spot in the NL West.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 12:12 PM.