Mookie Betts Rejoins Red Sox to Start 10-Game Road Trip in Baltimore (Updated)
By John ‘The Dude’ Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
Promising news: Mookie Betts will be traveling with the struggling Boston Red Sox on their upcoming 10-game road trip.
But it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be back in the lineup anytime soon, certainly not on Monday night in Baltimore. (UPDATE: Never mind! Betts returned to the lineup on Monday and went 1-for-5. He hopes to play again on Tuesday.)
Betts participated in some pre-game batting practice before Sunday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park, and followed it up with more work in the batting cage during the game.
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 08: Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox smiles from the dugout in the fifth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on June 08, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
It certainly seems like Betts is progressing and heading in the right direction, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora doesn’t have an exact return date in mind for the potential MVP candidate.
“He had a great day. He’ll fly with us to Baltimore and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Cora said after Sunday’s game. “We’ll go from there.”
Betts was eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, and has now missed 14 games with left side tightness, marking the longest injury-induced absence of his career.
There’s been some speculation that he could make a quick appearance in the minor leagues before rejoining the Red Sox in the near future.
Betts still leads the American League with a .359 batting average, .437 OBP, .750 SLG and 1.187 OPS. He’s tied for seventh in both homers with 17 and stolen bases with 13, in addition to knocking in 37 runs for the Sox.
The Red Sox (44-22) hit the road for a 10-game road trip that starts with three against the Baltimore Orioles (19-45) on Monday night. First-pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Camden Yards.
John Hardiman is a Digital Producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for John? Hit him up on Twitter @HardiDude or e-mail him at [email protected].
