Jesse RogersESPN Staff Writer1:00 AM ET3 Minute Read
Mookie Betts is playing shortstop for the first time in his career
Dodgers star Mookie Betts takes the field at shortstop for the first time in his MLB career after coming on as a seventh-place pinch hitter.
CHICAGO – Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts was asleep in a hospital room in California on Wednesday night. Twenty-four hours later — following the arrival of his new baby — he played shortstop for the first time in his career, having arrived at Wrigley Field during the first inning of the Dodgers’ eventual 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.
“It was like a dream come true,” Betts said afterwards. “I was drafted as a shortstop and hadn’t seen it since around 2011. I’m glad we won.”
Betts pinch hit in the top of the seventh inning for Luke Williams, who singled into right field before taking over at shortstop for the rest of the game.
His first piece was a big one. In the 2-2 tie in the round of 16, the Cubs had first- and second-place runners with no outs when Patrick Wisdom hit a ground ball behind second base. Betts grabbed it, stepped into second and made a jump shot for first for the 6-3 doubles play.
“He made it look really light and sporty,” said manager Dave Roberts.
Betts added, “I grew up with it so it’s not new to me. It’s new to everyone else.”
The Dodgers took the lead in a grand slam from James Outman, his second home run of the game, in ninth place. It came after starter Michael Grove had to walk in the fourth inning with a groin strain that first occurred when he slipped in the bullpen during warm-up. He will be tested on Friday and placed on the injured list.
“It was a 3 out of 10, but you’re talking about a pitcher,” Roberts said of the injury. “He assured us he was ready to go, but in the fourth inning he felt it again. We wanted to pull the plug right there.”
Grove also didn’t think the injury was serious.
“It’s nothing crazy,” he said. “Just a little groin problem.”
Roberts didn’t rule out the possibility of bringing right Tony Gonsolin (ankle) back from his rehab stint to fill Grove’s place, nor did he hint that Betts would go back to outfield.
“I think that’s his goal in life, to be a major league shortstop,” Roberts said with a smile. “I could see it happening more.”
In fact, Betts could find himself a lot more in the infield with Miguel Rojas (hamstring) on the IL and Gavin Lux (ACL) who lost for the season. He was asked if he had any nerve playing the position for the first time in a decade.
“A lot of nerves, but you take it,” he replied. “You learn to play nervous. If I wasn’t nervous, that probably means I don’t love it. … I don’t care where I play. I just want to win.”