When the Dodgers announced their starting lineup for Saturday’s game with the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium, 29-year-old superstar right fielder Mookie Betts was in it; his first game back since colliding with center fielder Cody Bellinger the Wednesday before. In fact, during his pregame media scrum, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that the five-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glover, four-time Silver Slugger, two-time World Series champion, former MLB batting champion and former MLB Player of the Year was going to play the entire game.

He did not.

Not only was Betts not in the Dodgers starting lineup on Saturday, he is now on the their Injured List with “…a cracked rib.”

“Mookie was preparing for the game this morning and couldn’t quite loosen up, so we ended up obviously scratching him from the lineup and he ended up getting some more imaging,” Roberts told concerned reporters following his team’s 7-1 pounding of the Guardians on Saturday. “An MRI scan revealed a cracked rib, so he’s going to go on the IL. The time to return is basically TBD.

“It’s certainly a big blow to all of us, but at least having the information and knowing what it is, at least there’s solace in that. Hopefully, we’ll get him back sooner than later,” Roberts added.

Betts suffered the injury after colliding with Bellinger in the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium.

Although there is no time frame for Betts’ return, a cracked rib is something that generally takes anywhere from six to eight weeks to heal … or longer.

Roberts said that utility infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry was being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Play Ball!

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