Dodgers' Dave Roberts Reveals Reason for Mookie Betts Absence From Team

Jul 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) in the dugout prior to the first inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained that superstar Mookie Betts wasn't with the team on Friday to kick off a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox due to a death in his family.

Roberts also noted that Betts is on his way to Fenway Park and will then make the decision if he will be available to pinch-hit on Saturday or not.

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#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is en route to Fenway Park. Should get here around first pitch. Will decide then if he’s available to pinch hit. Roberts confirmed Betts absence was related to death in his family

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 26, 2025

There was speculation after the Dodgers' win on Wednesday that Betts wouldn't be present on Friday due to personal reasons after Roberts explained the situation as best he could amid the sensitive matter.

“There might be some things going on that he might not be around, that he’s got to deal with personally,” Roberts said. “Everything is okay with him, but yeah, we’ll see.”

It has been a rough year for Betts, dating back to spring training when he first caught a stomach bug that caused him to lose nearly 20 pounds. It would also be the reason that the shortstop missed the tail-end of Cactus League play, and was forced to come home early from Japan ahead of the Dodgers' first two regular season games of the year.

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His offense was hot to start the season, but after the first 10 games, his production started to head south.

Betts is still elite on defense and is the third-best in the league among active shortstops when it comes to defensive runs saved, but in his last 30 games at the plate, Betts is hitting just .172.

His OPS is a dreary .478 in that span, which is why Roberts chose to move Betts to the leadoff spot with the goal of getting on base more frequently. Since the move up in the order, he has gone 3-for-17 with a pair of walks.

The hope is that Betts can soon get back to his familiar production at the plate, but in this present moment, the support of the entire Dodgers community will be with Betts during this difficult time.

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