Dodgers option Alex Freeland with Mookie Betts activated
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Alex Freeland #76 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images LOS ANGELES — For the first time since April 4, the Dodgers have Mookie Betts back after he missed 32 games with a strained oblique. To make room on the active roster, Alex Freeland was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Betts is batting second for the Dodgers on Friday night. Betts played two rehab games with Oklahoma City , which was news in and of itself because he hadn’t previously played in the minors since 2015 despite a handful of other injured-list stints. Betts singled in each of his games with the Comets and also added a walk, and played 11 total innings at shortstop on Friday and Saturday.
Freeland in spring training won the heavy side of a platoon second base, which shifted into more regular playing time once Betts was injured, in total starting 31 of the Dodgers’ 40 games at second base, where he totaled three outs above average ( tied for fifth in the majors ) and three defensive runs saved ( tied for eighth ). Freeland hit . 235/.
309/. 337 with an 86 wRC+, two home runs, and four doubles, and the second-highest strikeout rate (28. 6 percent) on the team.
This means more playing time at second base for Hyeseong Kim, an excellent defender in his own right who started 24 of the 32 games at shortstop with Betts on the injured list. Kim since returning from Triple-A in April hit . 289/.