Dave Roberts makes bold call, benches Mookie Betts

LOS ANGELES — In a surprising decision that left many scratching their heads, Mookie Betts was benched on Saturday as the Dodgers take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Betts, a key player for the Dodgers and one of the best in the game, has been having a challenging season, and this move is part of an effort to help him regain his form.

“He understood,” Dave Roberts said. “He's a guy who wants to be out there every single day. He understood that it was my decision.”

Betts has been battling through a difficult stretch in 2025, hitting a career-low batting average of .241 so far this season. It's a stark contrast to the MVP-caliber numbers he's put up in years past, and the Dodgers' decision to bench him is both a sign of the urgency surrounding his performance and a recognition that even elite players can hit rough patches.

Betts' struggles this season have been hard to ignore. Despite his impeccable defense and base running, his bat has been a weak link for much of the year. His .688 OPS is well below his career norms, and the usual dynamic power and discipline that we’ve seen from him at the plate just haven’t been there.

What’s been most surprising is the lack of consistency from Betts. He’s shown flashes of brilliance at times — hitting for power or delivering a clutch hit — but he’s rarely strung those moments together

Roberts made the decision to bench Betts on Saturday, opting to give him a mental and physical breather. This isn’t the first time this season that Roberts has had to shake up the lineup, but with the Dodgers gearing up for the start of the second half, it's a sign of just how much they need Betts to return to his usual self. 

While Betts has been relatively durable throughout his career, the grind of a long season can wear down even the most elite athletes. Fatigue can affect timing, bat speed, and decision-making, and that could be part of what’s holding Betts back. A mental and physical reset could give him the energy boost he needs. Despite not participating in the All-Star festivities, he was able to regroup with some time off but did not leave baseball behind during the break, Betts said. 

There wasn't a single day when Betts didn’t pick up and swing a baseball bat. He felt it was necessary to continue practicing, believing he couldn’t afford to take time off from baseball during his slump. In response, Roberts decided to step in and bench him.

Roberts mentioned that he believes Betts needs to “just watch a baseball game.” He noted that this situation is different from the All-Star break and that it is likely just a one-day issue, although it will be reassessed on a daily basis. Roberts also stated that he doesn’t think moving Betts down in the lineup would be beneficial.

Roberts isn't entirely sure when Mookie Betts will return to the lineup, and it appears there could be more time off ahead.

"I don't know how long it's going to be. It could be one night, it could be two. My expectation is he's going to be back in there tomorrow, but for me, it's going to be a day-to-day thing and it's going to be my decision on how I feel he is mentally to take on that night's starter."

Roberts on his decision not to have Betts in the lineup tonight:

“Talking to him, just kind of seeing where his head's at and where he’s at mechanically, tonight was a night I felt he needed to be down.”