Mookie Betts has not yet appeared in any games for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training despite being healthy, but manager Dave Roberts has confirmed the 33-year-old star will make his spring debut on Sunday. The Dodgers will face the Los Angeles Angels, marking Betts’s first time back on the field for Cactus League action as he begins preparing for the 2026 season.
Manager Confirms Betts’s Return Against Angels
According to Bill Plunkett from the Southern California Newspaper Group, Roberts announced,
“Dodgers’ Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts will make his Cactus League debut Sunday vs. Angels.”
This marks an important step as Betts ramps up after offseason rest, aiming to build momentum ahead of the new campaign.
Betts’s Performance and Role Moving Forward
The eight-time All-Star is entering his 13th Major League Baseball season. Last year, Betts experienced a slight decline in his statistics but remained a valuable contributor for the Dodgers, particularly during the playoffs. He finished 2025 with a .258 batting average and a .326 on-base percentage, both career lows, while tallying 152 hits, 20 home runs, and 82 RBIs.
Betts is expected to continue as the Dodgers’ shortstop, a position he has adopted after years primarily spent in the outfield. While he has earned six Gold Glove Awards in his career, none have been for shortstop, yet he has established himself as a reliable defender within the infield.
Looking Ahead to a Historic Season for the Dodgers
With Betts’s return, the Dodgers are setting their sights on the 2026 season, aiming to secure a historic three-peat of World Series championships. Only the New York Yankees, who have achieved this multiple times, and the Oakland Athletics of the 1970s have managed this feat. Betts’s presence will be vital to the Dodgers as they pursue this rare accomplishment.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts will make his Cactus League debut Sunday vs Angels
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 28, 2026
