Breaking: Dodgers Reveal Brutal Injury News On Mookie Betts & Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Things had been going along quite swimmingly for the Los Angeles Dodgers to this point in the 2024 season. They hold an eight game lead atop the National League West division with a 44-29 record. But they've suddenly hit a couple of big bumps in the road, with the revelation that two key players will be out for significant time.

Starting with sparkplug and MVP candidate Mookie Betts.

#Dodgers Dave Roberts has shared Mookie Betts has fractured his left hand, he will not require surgery, but it will take time to heal. It’s not a season-ending injury.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) June 16, 2024

Betts suffered a fractured left hand in Sunday's game, after getting beaned by a 98 mph fastball from KC Royals right-hander Dan Altavilla.

Mookie Betts exited the game after being hit in the hand with a 98mph fastball pic.twitter.com/lmRB3571Tt
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 16, 2024

Betts dropped to the dirt and was writhing in pain, staying on the ground for an extended period, as he could barely even stand and walk due to the intensity of the pain. X-rays showed the break.

Manager Dave Roberts said he's expected to be out "for some time," but added that the fracture won't require surgery and that the injury "isn't season-ending."

Meanwhile, sensational Japanese import Yoshinobu Yamamoto will also be taking extended time off due to a strained rotator cuff.

#Dodgers Dave Roberts said that Yoshinobu Yamamoto has a strained rotator cuff, added that it’s not season-ending, but it will take time to heal.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) June 16, 2024

Yamamoto left his start after just two innings on Saturday. Once again, Roberts said it's "not season-ending", but that time will be needed for him to recover.

Betts is hitting .307 with 10 HR and 40 RBIs, with a .900 OPS and a robust OPS+ of 156.

Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325 million contract in coming over from Japan this past winter, has more than lived up to expectations, going 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a spectacular 84:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 74 innings.