Mookie Betts Goes Down With Oblique Strain and the Dodgers' Early Season Just Got Complicated

The Dodgers had to make a tough call before the gates even opened at Dodger Stadium. Shortstop Mookie Betts is heading to the injured list with an oblique strain, and suddenly Los Angeles is dealing with a real depth question right when the season is still in its infancy.

This isn't some minor ache that'll resolve in a week. Oblique injuries have a nasty track record of lingering, and losing a guy of Betts' caliber right now stings. The Dodgers are going to have to get creative at short and figure out their lineup without one of the best players in baseball wearing a Dodger uniform.

Early Season Chaos Across the League

It's not just Los Angeles dealing with injury headaches. The White Sox had to place outfielder Everson Pereira on the 10-day IL with a left ankle sprain that forced him out early last Wednesday against the Marlins. Pereira, acquired from Tampa in a November trade, was Chicago's starting right fielder in five of their first six games, slashing .250/.294/.500 with a homer in his first 17 at-bats. Now the Sox will lean harder on Derek Hill in the outfield mix while Pereira gets healthy.

To fill the gap, Chicago called up infielder Tanner Murray from Triple-A for his major league debut. The 26-year-old made an immediate impact as the starting shortstop in a 3-0 win over Toronto, flashing the glove when it mattered most. With the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning, Murray ranged up the middle to get Addison Barger and end the threat. A fourth-round Rays pick in 2020, Murray spent time in the minors as a second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, and even outfield. That versatility could keep him in the picture as a depth piece.

More Arms Hit the Shelf

The Orioles are also shuffling. Right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo landed on the 15-day IL due to throwing shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 2. It's brutal timing. Hiraldo made his MLB debut last season with a 4.58 ERA over 19 2/3 innings, but this year he's posted a rough 21.60 ERA over just 1 2/3 innings of work. Left-hander Cade Povich got the call from Triple-A and went right into action, pitching 5 2/3 innings of long relief in an 8-2 loss to the Pirates after starter Chris Bassitt got hit early.

The injury bug is biting hard across baseball right now, and teams are scrambling to keep their rosters intact as the season ramps up.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.