Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wanted to set the record straight: Mookie Betts is his shortstop.
“Mookie,” Roberts said, “will not go to right field.”
Roberts repeated the phrase a couple of times, as if he was determined to quash any speculation about another late-season position change for Betts.
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“Mookie,” Roberts said again, “will not go to right field.”
There it is, directly from the man who hands the lineup card to the umpire every night.
So ignore the noise and stop the chatter.
Mookie Betts is the Dodgers’ shortstop.
Betts is the Dodgers’ shortstop now, Betts will be the Dodgers’ shortstop next week, and Betts will be the Dodgers’ shortstop in the postseason.
Read more: Dodgers’ troubles at the plate strike again in loss to Zac Gallen and Diamondbacks
The only times Roberts said he envisioned Betts returning to right field was late in games in which the Dodgers ran out of bench players. A situation like that came up a few weeks ago in a game against the Angels. Miguel Rojas, an infielder, was deployed as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning and remained in the game at shortstop. Betts defended right field for an inning.
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Roberts isn’t sticking with Betts at shortstop because of their close relationship. He’s sticking with Betts at shortstop because of how Betts has played the position.
Betts entered his team’s weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks leading all major league shortstops in defensive runs saved (15).
He was ninth in outs above average (four).
He was also fifth in fielding percentage (.985).
“When you’re talking about shortstop play, you’re looking for consistency, and I’ve just loved the consistency,” Roberts said. “He’s made every play he’s supposed to make, and then the last couple weeks, he’s made spectacular plays. He’s been a big part of preventing runs. “
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Roberts is equally, if not more, encouraged by how Betts has looked.
“Right now, it’s all instinct instead of the technical part of it, how to do this or that,” Roberts said. “I think he’s free to just be a major league shortstop. I truly, to this day, have never seen a position change like Mookie has.”
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base after forcing out Padres baserunner Freddy Fermin at second on Aug. 15. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
A six-time Gold Glove Award winner as a right fielder, Betts moved to shortstop late in spring training last year when…