Dodgers Place Former MVP On IL With Cracked Rib

A tough break for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they try to cling to a minuscule lead in the NL West division. After a freak collision with a teammate a few days back, superstar leadoff man Mookie Betts is heading to the injured list with a cracked rib.

It happened on Wednesday when he and Cody Bellinger tried to nab this pop fly into shallow right-center by Taylor Ward. 

Seems like it might be relevant to post the controversial ruling. pic.twitter.com/x5AKA1cEMs

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 16, 2022

It's not the worst impact we've ever seen, and in fact Betts was smiling after the play. But an MRI revealed the fracture, and he hasn't been back in the lineup since. 

Now manager Dave Roberts confirms he'll be out at least two weeks, but hopefully not much more. 

Losing Betts, their offensive catalyst, however, for any amount of time is a bad blow for the Dodgers, as the former MVP and 5-time All-Star was hitting .273 with an .884 OPS, with 17 HR (just two off the NL lead), 40 RBIs and 53 runs (also two off the league lead).

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports