GLENDALE, Ariz. — It’s a big ask.
The Dodgers were already moving the six-time Gold Glove winner in right field to the infield. But Mookie Betts came into professional baseball as a second baseman and started 60 games there last season. Betts was ready to embrace the move back to his old home with enthusiasm.
But Betts has been thrown into the breach, the Dodgers deciding well into spring training that Gavin Lux could not be depended upon defensively at shortstop. Instead, they will ask Betts to play a position he hasn’t played regularly since high school.
“It’s huge,” Betts said. “You’re going from right field to second base to short. Right field is not easy by any means. None of the positions are easy. But you’re going from one of the easier positions on the field to one of the hardest outside of catching – and I’m definitely not catching.
“But I embrace challenges. I really love learning and processes. So I think this is right up my alley.”
It is a crash course not just in playing a new position but in assuming all of the added responsibilities that come with playing shortstop in the major leagues. As a right fielder, Betts never had to worry about being in the right place for cutoffs and relays.
Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas has been helping Betts learn over the past week. Rojas said there’s no reason to worry about Betts catching and throwing. But learning all of those other responsibilities will be a challenge.
“He’s one of the best in the game. Having him give me all the knowledge that he has is awesome,” Betts said of Rojas, known for his defensive ability. “He’s really kind of going a little too fast. But I’d rather him be on me and stay on me and make sure I’m doing it right than not at all.”
Rojas had better go fast. The Dodgers have one Cactus League game left in Arizona, two exhibition games in South Korea and then will play regular-season games, giving Betts limited game reps before his mistakes could become costly.
“I feel good about it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I’ll feel better about it as he continues to get more repetitions. Certainly, he hasn’t played as much shortstop throughout his baseball career as he has second base. Different angles. The throws.
“I do know he is embracing it, he is excited about the challenge. Players like Mookie get bored sometimes, so a different challenge is exciting. It’s one of those things, though, you’ve just got to let that process play out until you know more. So if there’s somebody I would bet on, it would be Mookie. But to go out there and expect him to be Miguel Rojas right now is something that is not realistic.”
There seems to be very little realistic about asking their best defensive player to move farther and farther away from his established position. There have been rough moments during Betts’ limited playing time in the Cactus League, but Roberts would not say how long a leash the Dodgers will give the seven-time All-Star.
“I can’t give a date, a number of games, a number of chances,” Roberts said. “I think it’s just one of those things you sort of have to let play out. Let second base play out (for Lux). And as we know more, we can make decisions then.”
Betts said his goal is “to make all the routine plays – our pitching staff is awesome so just to keep them from throwing extra pitches, that’d be huge.”
A week into life as a major-league shortstop, Betts said he has already learned one very important lesson.
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“I think the most important thing I’ve learned is that I can do it,” he said. “I can do it. I really believe I can do it. I trust I can do it. The coaches believe in me. We’re putting in all the work. I think just that positive mindset will take me a long way.”
ROSTER RULES
When the Dodgers head to South Korea on Thursday morning, they will take 31 players. Twenty-six will be active for the games against the San Diego Padres. Three more can go and participate in the exhibition games but not against the Padres (without an injury necessitating another roster move). Starting pitcher Bobby Miller will be one of those. Two more will be on a taxi squad to be activated if there is an injury.
The Dodgers are expected to put right-handers Brusdar Graterol (hip) and Emmet Sheehan (shoulder) on the injured list before the trip to South Korea. Both will be ineligible to return before April 4.
ALSO
Third baseman Max Muncy, Lux and assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness were not in camp for Tuesday’s workout due to illness. Roberts said Muncy and Lux seem to be “on the other side” of the illness and could play in Wednesday’s final Cactus League game. Both are still expected to make the trip to South Korea.
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