In a recent announcement made by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, star shortstop Mookie Betts is anticipated to be absent from the field for approximately 6-8 weeks due to a fracture in his left hand. The injury occurred when Betts was struck by a 98-mph fastball from Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla during a game on Sunday.

Given the severity of the injury, Betts was promptly taken out of the game and officially placed on the injured list on Monday. To fill the void left by Betts' absence, Miguel Vargas has been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Shohei Ohtani will be assuming the leadoff position for Monday night's matchup against the Colorado Rockies. Will Smith is set to bat second.

In previous seasons, the Dodgers have encountered similar setbacks with injuries. In 2021, Corey Seager sustained a hand injury in May and was unable to return to action until late July. It is worth noting that upon rejoining the team, Seager initially struggled to find his All-Star form. However, he exhibited exceptional performance in the final month of the regular season, recording impressive statistics and delivering key contributions to the team's success.

Given Betts' projected recovery timeline, it is expected that he might not be back on the field until as early as July 28, if not a couple of weeks later. The Dodgers will undoubtedly be cautious in ensuring that Betts regains his pre-injury form, allowing him ample time to recuperate.

While Betts remains sidelined, the Dodgers may consider acquiring a shortstop or utility player who can share playing time with veteran Miguel Rojas to bolster their lineup. This decision could potentially be influenced by the approaching July 30 trade deadline, as the team weighs their options for enhancing their roster.

Following the game on Sunday, Betts expressed plans to meet with hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin from the Kerland-Jobe Clinic for further assessment and consultation. The Dodgers and their fans hope for a swift and successful recovery for Betts, who has been an instrumental presence in the team's lineup with a stellar.304 batting average, .405 on-base percentage, and .488 slugging percentage across 72 games. Betts has also contributed 10 home runs and nine stolen bases, bringing stability to the leadoff spot and shortstop position.

As the Dodgers navigate through this injury setback, fans and broadcasters are encouraged to stay connected and up to date with the latest news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more by subscribing to the team's YouTube channel and enabling notifications.

(Note: The mention of Miguel Rojas in the context is a mistake and is not relevant to Mookie Betts' injury case. Kindly disregard it.