The Los Angeles Dodgers officially activated outfielder Mookie Betts from the injured list on Monday afternoon, but the move came as something of a surprise.
The all-rounder and new signing Amed Rosario was chosen for the role.
Betts returns to the lineup after missing the last eight weeks with a broken hand. He will bat second and play right field.
The Dodgers have activated Mookie Betts from the injured list and will bring him back to right field.
To make room for Betts, Amed Rosario was designated for assignment.
The Dodgers traded Rosario at the deadline. He hit 3 of 11 in five games with LA.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) 12 August 2024
The decision about Rosario comes as a surprise. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays two weeks ago. It was the second season in a row that the Dodgers signed a contract with the super all-rounder.
The 28-year-old right-hander posted a .307/.331/.417 batting average in 275 at-bats with the Tampa Bay Rays this season and was limited to five games with the Dodgers. The versatile Rosario made just 12 at-bats in his second stint with Los Angeles this season, hitting .273/.333/.364 with a double, two runs batted in and a walk.
Amed Rosario’s statistics for 2024:
.305 Average
.331 OBP
.415 SLG
23 XBH
28 RBI
10 SB
113 OPS+
114 wRC+The Dodgers didn’t give him much playing time, but in LA he went 3-for-11 with a double, a stolen base and two RBIs.
I didn’t expect him to be slated to play alongside Mookie Betts. pic.twitter.com/9fB6Ln05bE
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) 12 August 2024
Rosario was set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Dodgers sent 27-year-old minor league pitcher Michael Flynn to Tampa Bay and designated reliever Ryan Yarbrough in exchange to make room on the 40-man roster for Rosario.
This was just one of the difficult decisions the Dodgers will have to make over the next few days. Another decision was made over the weekend when manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Betts would return to right field, as previously announced, and would no longer play shortstop.
“He’s most confident in right field right now compared to the shortstop position,” Roberts said.
Betts will also bat second behind designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.
When it came time to make a decision, the Dodgers realistically had to choose between Rosario, Kiké Hernandez and Nick Ahmed.
Hernandez, sporting his new glasses, is on a hot streak, posting a .333/.405/.545 batting average in his last 37 plate appearances.
Ahmed has posted a .268 batting average in 42 at-bats with the Dodgers, but the team has shown its faith in him defensively by moving Betts to the outfield. The shortstop position will be filled by former Gold Glove winner and Gold Glove-eligible shortstop Miguel Rojas.
Rosario is still owed $387,000 of this year’s salary. Any team claiming him would have to pay the full amount, while the Dodgers, as the third luxury payer, would be spared that amount plus the 110 percent tax. Giving up Rosario could save the Dodgers about $813,000 if he is claimed.
