The Dodgers Have Found a Way to Sidestep the Mookie Betts Problem

The Dodgers have found a way to sidestep the Mookie Betts problem by leaning on depth as Betts returns from a five-week layoff caused by a strained oblique. Betts came back on May 11 and, through 20 games, is hitting .165/.232/.342 with four home runs and two doubles in 87 plate appearances. Two of his stolen-base attempts have been unsuccessful, and while his exit velocity and contact quality show signs of life, his bat speed and hard-hit percentage are down. Los Angeles remains atop the NL Central with a 2 1/2-game edge over the Padres, a reminder of how a deep roster can blunt a star's slowdown in a long season. Even with Betts limited, the Dodgers are 34-20.

Dalton Rushing is ascending in his second season with a .902 OPS, while Andy Pages has 11 homers and 46 RBIs and a 3.3 WAR that leads the NL. Max Muncy remains productive, and Shohei Ohtani posts a .879 OPS. Roki Sasaki owns a 3.52 ERA with a 21-5 K/BB ratio through four May starts. These performances underscore the Dodgers' depth as Betts re-enters the lineup and the club pursues the postseason.