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Jeff Passan, ESPN
SAN ANTONIO — Eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts will likely return to the infield as a second baseman or shortstop for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, general manager Brandon Gomez said Wednesday.
“It could be the second, it could be short. I don’t know yet,” Gomes said at the annual GM conference. “We need to continue to have those conversations, but I think it’s a lot closer to ‘Hey, Mookie is trying to get back in the infield’ than anything else.
“I know he takes less toll on his body on the infield, so you can make the argument on both sides, but the beauty of Mookie is he’s the most selfless superstar we’ve ever seen, and that permeates the whole thing. .”
Betts, 32, spent the first 72 games of the 2024 season as the Dodgers’ shortstop after splitting time between second base and right field last season. With so much need for outfield production this season, Los Angeles moved Betts back to right when he returned from a broken hand on Aug. 12 after being sidelined for nearly two months.
Los Angeles could re-sign free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who spent 2024 in left field but is a natural right fielder, or sign free agent star Juan Soto, but the team would likely balk at the price tag expected to come. , if not exceeding $600 million.
Betts’ versatility aligns well with a Dodgers roster that includes Tommy Edman (who plays shortstop and center field), Gavin Lux (who plays shortstop and outfield) and utilityman Chris Taylor. The Dodgers could also hit the free agent market to sign former Milwaukee shortstop Willie Adams.
“Winning is always No. 1 for Mookie, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he said, ‘Hey, this is the best. I’ll play anywhere,’” Gomes said. I think catching it seems out of the realm of possibility, but I’m sure he’d be good at it too.
“We’re always trying to improve the team, and flexibility is something that helps when we’re looking at options on how to make the team better. I don’t think it’s necessary… but we can add good players. “I’m definitely open to it if I have the ability and it’s the best way to do it.”
The return timetable for star two-way player Shohei Ohtani, who underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing left arm, is unclear, and Gomez said he is not sure Ohtani will be able to pitch on Opening Day. Ohtani, 30, is recovering from right elbow reconstructive surgery (his second such surgery) and has not pitched in 2024.
Ohtani tore his labrum and partially dislocated his shoulder when he slipped toward second base while attempting to steal a base in Game 2 of the World Series. Ohtani continued to play despite the injury, but struggled in the series against the New York Yankees. Gomes said his rehabilitation may affect how he builds his offseason pitching plans, but he is expected to be ready for spring training.
“We will see how he goes through this phase and we will take it step by step because it is complicated with someone who is batting,” Gomes said. “So we’re trying to make sure we’re checking all the boxes to make sure he’s in the best position he can be in terms of his health, and whatever is missing in a smart, systematic process, that’s what it’s going to be.”
The Dodgers are expected to switch to a six-man rotation, including right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, two other pitchers including right-handers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, and left-hander Clayton Kershaw. He is a free agent looking to play for Los Angeles in 2025.
“Kirsch is, as always, our top priority,” Gomes said.
Gomez said another priority would be to extend manager Dave Roberts’ contract, which expires after the 2025 season, “as far as we can confirm”.
