LOS ANGELES -- Mookie Betts returned to the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Padres at Dodger Stadium, as had been expected after the starting shortstop was held out of Wednesday night's game against the Athletics in West Sacramento as a precaution due to right wrist soreness.
Betts' wrist was already feeling better after treatment on Wednesday, and the Dodgers are confident that it will not bother him moving forward.
"Today, he feels back to normal," manager Dave Roberts said Thursday.
Betts has been resurgent at the plate lately, hitting 25-for-67 (.373) with a 1.065 OPS in his previous 16 games entering Thursday. In that span, he's raised his season OPS from .591 to .744, helping him move past another slow start to begin the year.