Former Red Sox Star Mookie Betts May Miss Beginning Of Boston Series

The Boston Red Sox will welcome back a franchise icon when Mookie Betts leads the Los Angeles Dodgers into Fenway Park. Fans may have to wait a day for the former Red Sox superstar’s return.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday, per Dodgers Nation’s Gabe Smallson, that Betts could miss Friday’s series-opening game due to personal reasons.

“There might be some things going on that he might not be around, that he’s got to deal with personally,” Roberts told reporters after Wednesday’s win over the Minnesota Twins. “Everything is okay with him, but yeah, we’ll see.”

Betts began a potential Hall of Fame career with six spectacular seasons in Boston. He batted .301/.374/.519 with four straight All-Star appearances and Gold Glove awards in the outfield from 2016 to 2019.

Betts became Boston’s second American League MVP winner of the 21st century when hitting .346/.438/.640 with 32 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 129 runs scored in 2018. He capped off a historic campaign by leading the Red Sox to a World Series title, homering off Clayton Kershaw in a championship-clinching Game 5 victory over the Dodgers.

The Red Sox traded Betts to the Dodgers before a contract year in 2020. He’s added four more All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves and two World Series rings to his collection.

Although Betts has deftly handled a move to shortstop in his 12th season, he’s struggled mightily at the plate. Each component of the 32-year-old’s .238/.309/.370 slash line represents a career low, and he’s currently mired in a 12-game home run drought.

Betts’ return to Boston represents a major storyline in a highly anticipated series. If he’s not available Friday, Betts could play with Kershaw taking the mound against Garrett Crochet on Saturday night.