Dodgers' Mookie Betts Eyes MVP Season, Set for Later Spring Training Debut

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is expected by manager Dave Roberts to be in the MVP conversation this season, despite being listed at +4500 for NL MVP. Betts, 33, is aiming for a bounce-back year after career lows in batting average (.258), on-base percentage (.326), and OPS (.732) in 2025, attributed partly to a stomach virus and his transition to shortstop. He will have a more typical spring training, not participating in the WBC, and will start playing later next week. Roberts intends to bat Betts third in the lineup.