Mookie Betts Could Return Within Days After 5-Week IL Stint

Apr 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) fields a ground ball by Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garc?a Jr. (not pictured) during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts has been on the injured list since the first road trip of the season in Washington.

Betts suffered an oblique injury while rounding the bases, which was originally not supposed to keep him out for a long time, but further imaging led to him going on the injured list and missing more than four weeks of action thus far.

However, the wait for Betts will not be much longer, as team insider Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that he will likely make a short rehabilitation stint before being activated.

In fact, he could be back as soon as Monday, per Ardaya, after playing on Friday and Saturday for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Apr 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) fields a ground ball by Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (not pictured) during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Dodgers will be aiming for Betts to travel to Los Angeles on Sunday to join the team before Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Betts faced live pitching for the first time on Thursday during the team’s day off, with his session going well enough to embark on a rehabilitation assignment.

He highlighted that he turned the corner last week, feeling better in his recovery and body, lining him up for a return soon.

What has Mookie Betts said about his injury

For his own part, Betts has noted the delicate process of an oblique injury and how to recover from it.

“There’s no magic formula to this,” Betts said. “You can do as much rehab and stuff as you want. Things just take time. It’s always four to six weeks no matter however you want to twist it. I think we’re kind of approaching the four-week mark, so once I get to that point is when I’ll really turn the corner the most. So close.”

Betts’ return will signal a shift for the Dodgers on multiple levels. Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and Santiago Espinal are all candidates to get moved down.

Kim came up for Betts, but the Korean has shone in his role and hit the ball well. Freeland is someone whom the higher-ups have a fondness for.

Espinal is the most obvious candidate to get removed from the picture, though the return of Kike Hernandez and then Tommy Edman down the line will make things quite interesting, to say the least.