Dodgers move Mookie Betts down batting order amid renewed struggles

PHILADELPHIA –– The Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup had a new look on Monday.And at least one of the changes will stick for the time being.The most notable difference for the team’s series-opener against the Philadelphia Phillies was that streaking utility man Tommy Edman was bumped up to the No.

3 spot, getting a move up the order and a start at third base.Max Muncy has the day off against left-handed Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sánchez.The more permanent move, however, was shortstop Mookie Betts being bumped down a spot to the five-hole, where manager Dave Roberts said he will stay for the foreseeable future as he battles yet another slump at the plate.“Right now,” Roberts said, “I just wanted to give Mookie a different look.”A few weeks ago, Betts finally seemed to be emerging from an early-season slump.

After hitting .181 through June 12 –– and missing more than a month following an oblique strain in early April –– he went on a 17-game tear that included that .375 average, five home runs, five doubles and 12 RBIs.It was the best the 33-year-old had looked in more than two years, going back to the broken hand that derailed his MVP-caliber start to the 2024 campaign.Since then, however, Betts’ old, inconsistent form as a hitter has re-emerged.He entered Monday just 4-for-38 in his last 11 games, and hitless in 14-straight at-bats dating back to June 11.“It’s not for lack of effort, work,” Roberts said of Betts, whose season batting average has dipped back down to .226 and OPS to .690.“About a month ago, yeah, we all felt that he turned the corner.

And then the last few weeks, it just hasn’t been there.”When asked if Betts’ up-and-down production is just a symptom of his age, with the former MVP now in his 13th MLB season, Roberts said there was no “easy answer.”“I think that he’s better than what he’s showing, I do believe that,” Roberts said. But, he added, “Do I have the expectations of when he was considera...