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Boston Red Sox: Monster season of Mookie Betts placed on DL

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - MAY 26: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout after scoring in the sixth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on May 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 26: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout after scoring in the sixth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on May 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts has been placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a left abdominal strain after missing his fifth straight game.

It looks like the only thing that could slow down the monster season of Mookie Betts is injury.  The Boston Red Sox announced on Friday that the team has placed the leading MVP candidate the 10-day disabled list because of a left abdominal strain the slugger has been dealing with the last few days.

The timing couldn’t come at a worse time for the Red Sox as the team is facing top competition over the next few weeks.  The good news is that the move will be retroactive to Tuesday meaning Betts will be eligible to come off the DL as soon as June 8.

That is the positive that can be taken from an injury that could linger if he doesn’t get the proper time to rest and heal.

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Ranking amongst the leaders in all major offensive categories with this .359 batting average, 17 home runs and 37 RBI, Mookie Betts isn’t a player the Red Sox want to go too long without.  That is way Sox manager Alex Cora was hesitant to put him on the DL.

In fact, Cora was hoping to have Betts in the lineup before the series finale against the Houston Astros, but after the 25-year-old outfielder took swings following Thursday night’s 4-2 loss in Houston and again on Friday, it became obvious the team needed take precaution with Betts.

When asked about the move on Friday, Cora said the initial hesitance in placing Mookie Betts on the DL came from his trust in the player.

"“You have to trust the player, that’s the most important thing.  With him, obviously, with Mookie, we trust him a few times early in the season and when he said he was going to be ready he was ready,” Alex Cora said, via WEEI.  “Probably it’s taking longer than expected but I think him moving around yesterday, doing soft toss and now hitting, I do feel it’s going to be sooner rather than later and we’ll stay away from him.”"

Who fills the void?

The Boston Red Sox should be fine without Mookie Betts defensively for a short stretch of time.  J.D. Martinez will play right field in his spot.  Although the outfield speed decreases, having Jackie Bradley Jr. in center field should help Martinez.

The team also has utility players like Brock Holt and Blake Swihart who can replace Martinez in later innings or on days when the team uses him as a DH.

On offense, Andrew Benintendi will man the leadoff spot.  While not as consistent as Betts so far this season, the Red Sox left fielder has been trending up with the bat.  Him, along with players like Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland will have to help make up the power Betts provided this season.

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Hopefully, the rest will get Betts back in the lineup soon.  In the meantime, the players mentioned above will have the opportunity to step up.

It will also help is Jackie Bradley Jr. went on one of his hot streaks during this stretch.

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