Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reveals real reason why Mookie Betts isn’t in lineup vs. White Sox

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Mookie Betts for the NL West team's series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed the reason behind the shortstop's omission from the lineup.

While the reigning World Series winners continue their charge at the top of the NL West, former MVP Mookie Betts is struggling at the plate. However, Dave Roberts said Tuesday is a regular day off for Betts, calling it a "mental day." Hyeseong Kim is replacing Betts in the lineup.

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The All-Star slugger is batting .249 this season, but his numbers have dropped further in June. Betts is hitting .175/.241/.263 with a .504 OPS in 80 at-bats in his last 20 games.

Despite his slump, Roberts is reluctant to move the former Boston Red Sox star to a different position.

“I just can’t see that if you stick him in right field tonight, he’s going to throw out three hits," Roberts said on Betts' struggles at the plate.

About the author

Chaitanya Prakash is an editor who covers US Sports at Sportskeeda. His first brush with sportswriting was in 2012 when the greatest football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, bid farewell to the beautiful game.

Although having started out professionally as a cricket writer in 2022, Chaitanya's curiosity and indiscriminate interest in all sports in general eventually introduced him to America's favorite pastime.

While Chaitanya's favorite player from the current crop is the dynamic Venezuelan Ronald Acuna Jr., his all-time favorite, however, is Pedro Martinez, for his self-belief and consistency. He also rates Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip in 2015 as his favorite moment in baseball history.

Chaitanya specializes in reporting on technical aspects of the game or analyzing patterns behind specific plays. He also likes pondering over players' self-assessments following the conclusion of a game as it helps him get an idea of how they think about the sport in general.

When not cheering for his favorites across sports, Chaitanya likes being transported to the past through a good war documentary or a historical documentary in general.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash