Why Mookie Betts Won’t Immediately Join Dodgers For Red Sox Series

BOSTON — Mookie Betts has a storied history at Fenway Park, but the Red Sox didn’t see him for the opener of a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Betts was not present for Friday’s matchup and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided clarity to his update from earlier this week that the All-Star would miss the opener with a personal matter.

“He’ll be back (Saturday) right around game time,” Roberts said at Fenway Park. “He’s trying to make sure he gets back as soon as he can. Not sure if he’s going to be in the lineup, but he’ll be here at some point.”

Roberts added that Betts was home in Nashville before he planned to join the team back at Fenway Park.

Betts won his first World Series title in a year to remember for the Red Sox back in 2018, when Boston defeated the Dodgers in five games. He won American League MVP that season among a slew of individual accolades.

In his first return to Fenway Park in 2023, Betts went 7-for-15 with a home run, four RBI and five runs scored in a strong weekend.

Betts added two more titles with the Dodgers, though he’s struggled at the plate this month with a .185 batting average and a .548 OPS.

The Dodgers and Red Sox each held playoff spots entering the three-game set in Boston.

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