Toe injuries can be way worse than they sound.
Dodgers star Mookie Betts was reminded of this the hard way.
The eight-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion was a late scratch from the lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Yankees after injuring his left toe.
Mookie Betts isn't starting for the Dodgers on Friday due to a toe injury. Getty Images
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Betts stubbed his toe at home on Wednesday night and is currently considered day-to-day.
"It's day-to-day right now," Roberts told reporters . "So, that's where we're at."
It is still unclear exactly how much time Betts, 32, will miss as the Dodgers continue to gather information regarding the injury.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stands in the dugout in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. David Richard-Imagn Images
"I really don't know," Roberts said after being asked how the injury happened in the first place. "I think it was at home. It's probably a dresser, nightstand, something like that. It's just kind of an accident. I think that Mookie will be able to give more context, but that's kind of from the training staff what I heard.
"So hopefully it's benign, it's negative. Not sure, but I feel confident saying it's day-to-day … but putting on a shoe today was difficult for him."
Despite the injury , Betts is available to pinch-hit if necessary, though Roberts noted that "putting on a shoe today was difficult for him."
Miguel Rojas started at shortstop in Betts' absence.
Mookie Betts is available to pinch hit, but is listed as "day-to-day." Getty Images
So far this season, Betts has appeared in 53 games and has posted a .254 batting average with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
His on-base percentage stands at .338 while he holds a slugging percentage of .405.
Although they are currently leading the National League West with a 34-22 record, the Dodgers are navigating a series of injuries to key players aside from Betts.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy and shortstop Mookie Betts celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. David Richard-Imagn Images
Despite these challenges, the team maintains a two-game lead in the NL West, thanks in part to contributions from Shohei Ohtani , who leads the team with 20 home runs, and Freddie Freeman , who boasts a .359 batting average.
The series against the Yankees marks the first meeting between the two teams since the Dodgers' victory in the 2024 World Series.
With both teams leading their respective divisions, the World Series rematch is among the more highly anticipated series thus far in the 2025 MLB campaign.
