Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts suffered a broken hand when he was hit with a 97.4 mph fastball during Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
There’s good news for baseball’s top leadoff hitter, though: Betts won’t need surgery.
Addressing reporters with a bandage around his left wrist, Betts said it was the first time his hand had been hit, so at first he wasn’t sure if he had broken it.
‘I think it’s the first time I’ve been hit on the hand, so I wasn’t sure. I just went numb and it hurt,” Betts said. ‘Unfortunately, it’s broken. There’s really (nothing) we can do now.
‘Just a little bit up and in. I stood firm. Unfortunately he hit me in the hand.
Betts now faces an indeterminate period on the IL. The two-time World Series champion currently boasts a .304 batting average and .405 on-base percentage, which rank ninth and fourth, respectively, in Major League Baseball.
Mookie Betts, right, is hit by a pitch next to Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin.
There’s good news for baseball’s top leadoff hitter: Betts won’t need surgery
“It’ll just be resting and letting the bones heal,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters.
The incident took place during Los Angeles’ 3-0 victory over the Royals on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Betts was facing right-hander Dan Altavilla with a 1-2 count when a fastball went through his hands and landed directly on his left leg.
Betts immediately fell to the ground in obvious pain.
Afterwards, Altavilla stressed that he had no reason or desire to pass on Betts.
“Absolutely no intention,” Altavilla told reporters. “I was trying to get in on a 1-2 count and it slipped out of my hand. I really hope it’s okay.”
Betts plans to visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Shin at Cedars-Sinai on Monday, according to MLB.com.
While he has never broken a hand, Betts played shortly after breaking a rib as he did in 2022, when he spent 15 days on the injured list before returning. “Obviously I’ll be watching the guys, cheering them on,” said Betts, whose hand was bandaged after the game. ‘But other than that, it’s just kind of a break, maybe use it as a mental break. Prepare to leave when everything is healed.
At 44-29, the Dodgers have a comfortable eight-game lead in the National League West.