Dodgers News: How Injury Affects Mookie Betts' NL MVP Chances This Season

Mookie Betts is facing an uphill battle in the National League MVP race after missing nearly two months due to a fractured hand.

His absence has raised questions about his standing among the league's top players, especially with teammate Shohei Ohtani also in the running.

He acknowledged this unfortunate consequence of his near-two-month absence in an interview with Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group , "Yeah, for sure. That’s always a personal goal.

Personal goals don’t really matter. You’d like to get them. But stuff like that, that’s ancillary-type things."

Betts started the 2024 season strong, boasting impressive stats early on, including a .500 batting average in March and a .340 average in April.

However, his momentum was halted when he was hit by a fastball from Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla on June 16, resulting in a hand fracture that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season.

Despite this setback, Betts has managed to rank fifth in the National League for Wins Above Replacement (WAR) on Baseball Reference, an impressive feat considering he has played only 97 games.

In contrast, other players in the top 10 have played at least 118 games. His performance has kept him in the conversation for MVP, but the question remains: where will he ultimately finish?

FanGraphs presents a different perspective, ranking Betts ninth in WAR with a total of 4.4. His defensive performance this season has been scrutinized, but if he continues to play well, he could quickly climb the ranks.

Before his injury, Betts was primarily playing shortstop, a position he was still adjusting to. Since returning in August, he has shifted back to right field, which may enhance his overall value.

Ohtani remains the frontrunner for the MVP award, even while primarily serving as a designated hitter. His season has been remarkable, with a batting line of .289/.373/.613, including 45 home runs and 100 RBIs.

When healthy, Betts has had another All-Star caliber season, hitting .306 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs. His ability to secure a top-five finish in the MVP race would be a significant achievement, especially given the time he missed.