Dodgers’ Mookie Betts likely to hit injured list with sore hip

It’s “very probable” that Dodgers outfielder/second baseman Mookie Betts will hit the injured list after being scratched from Tuesday night’s lineup due to a right hip injury, as manager Dave Roberts told reporters prior to the start of a three-game series with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park:

This is a discouraging development for the 28-year-old Betts, who is in the first season of a 12-year, $365 million contract, and the Dodgers, who are now four games back of the Giants in the NL West. Betts’ numbers are still pretty good — he has a .277/.378/.521 slash line with 17 homers — but he’s been unable to consistently carry the team like he did last year, and this will be his second IL stint due to the hip injury.

Betts’ injury also pauses an encouraging run since he returned from the IL — he had hits in all five games from August 1-7, posting a .381/.485/.810 slash line with three homers. The good news for Betts and the Dodgers is that he was also on a hot streak before his last IL stint and kept the momentum going upon his return. Betts was 12 for 17 with three homers and four walks in his last five games before being placed on the IL on July 25.