The Los Angeles Dodgers are used to being the solution. But early in 2026, they’re getting introduced to a real problem. They put Mookie Betts on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain confirmed by MRI, and the expected timeline is four to six weeks, with the team hoping it’s closer to four. Obliques do timelines. They do setbacks. They linger. And that’s a problem. 

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Betts Goes Down Early

Betts left Saturday’s game in the first inning, and what looked like lower right back pain got re-labeled into the more annoying truth—oblique. The Dodgers immediate solution is practical—Miguel Rojas takes over at shortstop and stays in the No. 2 spot in the order, while the team recalled Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

True Blue LA noted the team expects the absence to stretch beyond the minimum because obliques heal on their own schedule, and the Dodgers are already planning a shortstop platoon approach with Kim and Rojas.

Hyeseong Kim Becomes the X-Factor

Kim is the real wild card. He hit .280 in 71 games for the Dodgers last season, got left off the roster after spring, then came out swinging at Triple-A—.346 through six games. The Dodgers aren’t panicking—they always seem to be flush with depth. But depth isn’t the same as replacing a star.

Don’t Let the Slow Start Fool You

This is also happening while Betts was already struggling at the plate—.179, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs through eight games. That’s important because the easy narrative is that he wasn’t hitting anyway. But that’s lazy. And we know that Betts doesn’t need a hot April to matter. He does need to be on the field, though, because he changes lineup structure, infield defense, and how opponents pitch the entire top half.

The First Real Test for the Dodgers

The Dodgers will still win games because, of course, they will. They’re the Dodgers. But Betts to the IL is the first real speedbump of the 2026 season. And it’s going to be a test of how deep their depth really is when a core piece is on the shelf.

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts might not be as significantly hurt as initially thought.

Betts, who sustained a right oblique injury on Saturday, was placed on the injured list, allowing for Hyeseong Kim to be called up to the majors.

On Monday, Betts told the California Post that he was “light years ahead” of where he thought he would be following Saturday, with Jack Harris noting that Betts “sounded hugely encouraged about the progress he was already making.”

“Honestly, I don’t even really notice that it hurts,” Betts said. “Much better spot than originally anticipated.”

Betts suffered a similar injury in 2018 as a member of the Boston Red Sox, and he returned that season to win the American League MVP and World Series — over the Dodgers.

“That (injury happened) on a swing, so I knew that was much worse than this,” he said.

He declined to promise another MVP though.

“Yeah,” he joked. “So we’ll see how it goes this time.”

What Has the Team Said About Mookie Betts’ Injury?

Manager Dave Roberts has indicated that he believes Betts will recover faster than the typical timeframe of four to six weeks for oblique injuries.

“It’s certainly more moderate than significant,” Roberts said. “We’ll huddle up and see if we need to get a player here to protect against us, depending on how the MRI comes. But yeah, (Betts) certainly won’t be playing the next couple days, I would assume.

“…Disappointed for him. We’re sort of starting to get going a little bit, and the way he’s playing defense, and he’s a big part of what we do. Any time you miss, it’s gonna take some time to kind of get your footing. So disappointed for him, but hopeful that it’s not long-term.”

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Who Will Fill in for Mookie Betts in the Meantime?

In addition to Kim, veteran Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland will fill in the infield.

Kim and Rojas are expected to split time at shortstop, while Freeland will get much of the work at second base.

Are you excited to get Mookie Betts back, or are you excited to see what the other guys can do?