The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a difficult season in 2025, with numerous injuries plaguing the roster, affecting the team’s overall performance and potential for postseason success. One of the most recent blows to their hopes was the decision to place All-Star player, Mookie Betts, on the injured list due to an ongoing issue that has hindered his performance for several weeks. Betts, a dynamic force both at the plate and in the field, has been struggling with a lingering injury that the Dodgers’ medical staff has finally decided to address by putting him on the IL. This move is another painful chapter in what has been an increasingly nightmarish season for the Dodgers, a team that entered 2025 with high expectations but now finds itself trying to recover from multiple setbacks.
Mookie Betts, who was acquired by the Dodgers in a blockbuster trade before the 2020 season, has consistently been one of the most productive and versatile players in Major League Baseball. As an MVP-caliber talent, he has been the face of the franchise and a key component of the team’s success over the past several years. However, 2025 has not been kind to Betts. After an incredibly strong start to the season, which had many believing that he was once again in line for another MVP-level performance, Betts began to show signs of discomfort in his lower body. Initially, the Dodgers’ coaching staff and medical team attributed the issue to general fatigue and the wear and tear of a long season, but it became apparent that something more serious was at play.
Despite Betts’ valiant efforts to continue playing through the pain, his performance began to slip. His power numbers, usually one of his most defining traits, began to dwindle. His batting average, which had hovered around .300 for much of the season, dropped, and his timing at the plate seemed off. Additionally, his defensive prowess, a cornerstone of his game, also began to fade. He wasn’t covering ground in the outfield like he used to, and his throws, once precise and strong, started to miss their marks. The Dodgers, with their strong commitment to player health, finally decided that the best course of action would be to place Betts on the injured list and give him the rest he needed to recover fully.
The decision to put Betts on the IL is not one that was made lightly. The Dodgers are in the midst of a highly competitive National League West race, with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres pushing them at every turn. As one of the highest-paid players in baseball, Betts’ presence on the field has been critical not just for his production but also for the leadership and energy he brings to the dugout. The timing of this injury, right as the Dodgers were beginning to find their rhythm after a rough stretch in the middle of the season, is devastating.
What makes this injury particularly difficult for the Dodgers is the financial and emotional investment in Betts. He is not just another player on the roster; he’s the centerpiece of the team’s plans for sustained success. Signed to a 12-year, \$365 million deal, Betts was expected to be the face of the Dodgers for years to come. However, with his injury, the team is faced with the reality that it may need to shift its focus for the rest of the season, possibly looking for a trade to fill the void in the outfield and the lineup. For the Dodgers, who have long been known for their deep roster and ability to weather injuries, this is a particularly painful hit.
The Dodgers have been no strangers to injuries this season, with several key players, including Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías, also experiencing time on the injured list. Kershaw, in particular, has struggled to stay healthy in his final season before likely retiring. His injury issues have meant that other pitchers in the Dodgers’ rotation have been forced to step up in his absence, but the team has not always had the consistency they’ve come to expect from their pitching staff. While Urías has been solid in his starts, his performance has been a far cry from the level of dominance he showed in 2024.
Additionally, the absence of Betts from the lineup leaves a noticeable hole in the Dodgers’ offensive production. His ability to hit for both power and average, combined with his speed and on-base skills, made him one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. Without him, the Dodgers will have to rely more heavily on the likes of Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Chris Taylor to carry the offensive load. Freeman, a former MVP himself, has been great in 2025, but even his production is unlikely to be enough to fully replace what Betts brings to the table.
What makes this situation even more challenging for the Dodgers is the financial context surrounding their roster. With Betts locked into a long-term, lucrative deal, the team has limited flexibility to make big moves in the trade market. As a result, they may be forced to look internally for solutions, promoting younger players from the minor leagues or shifting some of their veterans into new roles to fill the gaps. The Dodgers’ farm system, long considered one of the best in the league, could be a potential source of help. Players like James Outman, who had a strong rookie campaign in 2024, could be called upon to step into a more significant role. There is also hope that Max Muncy, who has been inconsistent this season, can find his form and help offset the loss of Betts.
As the Dodgers’ management and coaching staff try to adjust to this new reality, the larger question remains: Can the Dodgers still compete for a playoff spot without their star outfielder? The answer depends largely on how quickly Betts can recover and how well the team can adjust in his absence. Even if Betts returns to the lineup in a few weeks, there is no guarantee that he will be the same player he was before the injury. It’s also possible that, given the importance of his health to the team’s long-term future, the Dodgers may take a more cautious approach with Betts, ensuring that he is fully healed before he returns to action.
This situation highlights the delicate balance teams must strike between the immediate demands of a season and the long-term health and sustainability of their roster. The Dodgers, who have a commitment to winning now while also building for the future, are in a difficult position. They cannot afford to give up on the 2025 season, especially with the World Series window still very much open, but they also need to consider the future and ensure that they do not jeopardize Betts’ health for the sake of a short-term playoff run.
Another factor that plays into this scenario is the broader state of the National League West. The Dodgers are not the only team dealing with injuries this season. Both the Giants and the Padres have faced their own challenges, but their fortunes have varied. The Padres, who have underperformed in previous seasons despite an all-star-laden roster, have shown signs of life in 2025, making their own push for a playoff spot. The Giants, while not as star-studded as the Dodgers, have been surprisingly competitive, and their strong pitching staff has kept them in the mix. The injury to Betts could prove to be the tipping point for any of these teams, and the Dodgers will need to keep pace with their divisional rivals even as they adjust to Betts’ absence.
For now, the Dodgers are left to navigate this latest challenge, with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. The team will need to rally around its remaining core of players and hope that the younger talents in the system can rise to the occasion. With the right moves and a little bit of luck, they might still be able to make a deep run in 2025. However, the season has already been defined by its unpredictability and misfortune, and with each passing week, the Dodgers’ resolve is tested further.
In the end, this injury to Mookie Betts serves as a reminder of how quickly a team’s fortunes can change in baseball. Just a few months ago, the Dodgers were considered the favorites to win the World Series, with a balanced roster that was among the deepest in the league. Now, as the injury bug has bitten once again, the team finds itself fighting not just for a playoff spot, but for the hope that it can still contend for a title, even in the face of adversity. As the season unfolds, the Dodgers and their fans will be watching closely, hoping that Betts can return to his former self and that the team can find a way to weather the storm.
