Mookie Betts Could Take Shohei Ohtani’s Leadoff Spot When Dodgers Star Returns

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the team's lead-off position as Shohei Ohtani sits and Mookie Betts thrives.

On Saturday, September 19th, Roberts was asked directly whether Ohtani would lead off when he returned from the injured list, Dodgers Nation's Noel Sanchez reports.

"I mean, I think that's my first kind of thought," Roberts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.

"But until he gets back, or when he gets back, then I'll kind of potentially read and react if it's a left-right situation. I haven't really thought too much about it."

Ohtani is on the IL with right arm/bicep soreness, which surfaced during his pitching work. He's also battling left knee soreness.

The Dodgers hope rest will help Ohtani, who looked like a shell of his best self in his last few at-bats before sitting out.

Over the last few days, Ohtani has been doing light baseball work and is trending in a good direction, according to Dave Roberts, leaving the door open for him to get some plate appearances before the postseason.

As the Dodgers found out, a compromised Ohtani cannot touch the same heights as a fully healthy one. As the injuries racked up and the wear led to a hampered swing, Ohtani was not delivering at a level to merit the lead-off spot.

Ohtani hit just .186/.324/.390 in his last 15 games, with production looking really bad over the last seven games: .077 with a .250 OBP.

While Ohtani has dropped off, Mookie Betts has started heating up and is now taking over the leadoff spot in Ohtani's absence.

For most of Ohtani's time out injured, which has been a few weeks now, Tommy Edman has handled most of the lead-off work.

However, Edman is now hitting .135/.274/.231 at lead-off, and Betts is really getting going.

Betts is hitting .356 with a .457 OBP over his last 15 games. Over 30 games, Betts is hitting .298/.384/.529.

Roberts talked about deploying Betts at leadoff for a second straight game, even against a righty pitcher

"I think that certainly there is uncertainty with Shohei, all the while expecting to be back. But you do have to prepare for whatever," Roberts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.

"I just think Mookie swinging the bat well and has many times throughout his career. It just kind of makes sense."

If Betts keeps this up and Ohtani returns still limited, Roberts will have to think hard about moving the batting order to improve the team's three-peat odds.