WASHINGTON — Mookie Betts left LoanDepot Park in Miami on crutches Thursday night and struggled onto the team plane. He spent the day Friday trying to find out just how bad things might be.
Betts had X-rays at the stadium in Miami after fouling a ball off his left foot, but the Dodgers sent him for an MRI and CT scan to determine if the injury is more than a contusion. The seven-time All-Star outfielder was not at Nationals Park for the pre-game workout and results of the exam were not available at game time.
Betts actually stayed in Thursday’s game for seven innings after injuring his foot and reached base four times.
“Mookie is better than he was yesterday,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think we’re doing the whole gamut of CT, X-rays yesterday, MRI, just to kind of make sure we have all the information.”
Betts was not in the lineup Friday and Roberts said he didn’t expect Betts to play again until Monday at the earliest.
“Honestly, I’m hopeful,” Roberts said. “Just considering that he felt much better today than last night is a positive. I think right now we’re just hoping everything comes back negative.”
Betts leads the National League in on-base percentage (.411) and slugging percentage (.609), and ranks third in RBIs (99), fourth in home runs (career-high 38) and fifth in batting average (.314). He hit .455 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs in August.
MARTINEZ RETURNS
The Dodgers activated designated hitter J.D. Martinez from the injured list on Friday and optioned infielder Michael Busch to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In his first big-league at-bat since Aug. 19, Martinez hit a two-run home run.
Martinez said his injury was finally diagnosed by a specialist as being caused by his tailbone pressing on a nerve. He played two games on a rehab assignment with OKC and still felt the “zing” occasionally but he didn’t “lock up” like he had during episodes before he went on the IL.
“I think I’m hopeful again,” Roberts said. “We took the ample time and he should be able to perform when called upon. I feel good about it.”
REHAB ROUNDUP
Reliever Joe Kelly (forearm inflammation) was scheduled to make the first of two rehab appearances with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night. Roberts said Kelly is on track to rejoin the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Right-hander Michael Grove (lat strain) allowed two runs on three hits while striking out the side in one inning on a rehab assignment with OKC on Thursday. He is expected to continue his assignment with OKC.
Right-hander Yency Almonte (knee) is scheduled to join the Dodgers when they return to Los Angeles on Monday and throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
“We’ll know more then,” Roberts said of Almonte’s potential return before the end of the season. “I’m hoping the ’pen goes well and we can continue to progress. But I think right now, there’s no time of return.”
CLEMENTE AWARD
Chris Taylor was named the Dodgers’ nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award. The Clemente Award honors a player who best represents baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Taylor and his wife, Mary, founded the CT3 Foundation, which raises funds for children with cancer and other life-altering conditions and spreads awareness for those vulnerable in Los Angeles and Taylor’s hometown of Virginia Beach.
Justin Turner won the Clemente Award in 2022.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 9-3, 3.80 ERA) at Nationals (RHP Jake Irvin, 3-5, 4.35 ERA), Saturday, 1:05 p.m. SportsNet LA, 570 AM