Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts Exits Game Following 98 mph Fastball Strike to Hand

Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts had to leave Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals after being hit on the hand with a 98 mph fastball. His injury status was not immediately clear. The incident occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning with Los Angeles leading 3-0. With one man on and a 1-2 count, Royals reliever Dan Altavilla threw a pitch inside that hit Betts in his left hand, causing him to crumple in pain before leaving the game.

Shortstop Miguel Rojas took first base for Betts and replaced him on defense at shortstop. Altavilla managed to get a lineout from Shohei Ohtani to end the inning, but the Dodgers ultimately won the game 3-0. Concerns for Betts’ health overshadowed the game outcome in Los Angeles. A former MVP with the Boston Red Sox, Betts is a seven-time All-Star and had been selected for the All-Star Game in each of his previous three seasons with the Dodgers. Betts had been performing well before the injury, with a batting line of .307/.407/.493, 10 home runs, 40 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 71 games so far this season.

The Dodgers had already received significant injury news earlier in the day, with rookie starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto being placed on the injured list due to a triceps injury. Yamamoto had left Saturday’s start against Kansas City after just two innings and is set to undergo further testing to determine the extent of his injury.