'I'm ready to go': Betts healthy entering '22

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Hitting 23 homers, finishing with an .854 OPS and being named an All-Star would’ve qualified as a strong season for just about any player in the Majors. For Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, however, it was considered a challenging year.

That’s a testament to the type of production people have come to expect from Betts. Last season wasn’t up to his standards, either. Betts described the first half of last season as “bad,” only to be named an All-Star a few days later.

A big reason for Betts’ slight dip in production was an injured right hip that bothered him for most of the season. He was limited on the basepaths, finishing with just 10 stolen bases -- his lowest total in any season in which he has played at least 100 games.

“It feels great,” Betts said of his hip. “I did some good work to get back healthy, and I’m ready to go.”

Betts added that the hip has felt “pretty smooth” and that he didn’t need to undergo any further testing over the last few months. In November, tests determined that Betts didn’t need surgery, a huge relief for the 2018 AL MVP.

“He looks normal,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “As we get more into baseball activity, I think we’ll know more. But right now, compared to where he was at times last year where he just was injured and didn’t feel well … he’s far from that right now.”

Betts was limited to 122 games last year, his lowest mark during a full 162-game season since playing 52 in his rookie campaign. The hip would often bark at him from at-bat to at-bat. At one point, the Dodgers moved Betts to second base so he didn’t have to run as much in the outfield. In August, he finally got an injection that eased the pain and discomfort, allowing him to finish the season without any issues.

“The number one thing is to be on the field to help the team,” Betts said. “If you’re not healthy on the field, then there’s no point in kind of being here. I’m just happy to be able to play.”

A healthy Betts will give the Dodgers an even better chance to win their second World Series title in three years. He was an integral part of the 2020 championship team, with his bat, legs and glove. Those tools were lacking at times last season, despite his above-average production.

This season, the Dodgers will once again lean on Betts to be one of the best players in the Majors. He has proven that time and time again, but after not producing up to his expectations last season, Betts will have something to prove in 2022.

“It just kind of comes down to being healthy, because when you’ve got whatever it was -- a hip, a lower back, whatever it might have been -- it just sort of bleeds into your psyche and your mindset,” Roberts said. “I think that you’ll see Mookie allowing himself, his body, to be the player that we’ve known for many years.”

Inside Dodgers camp

• The Dodgers went through their first simulation game of the spring on Tuesday. Carson Fulmer, Brusdar Graterol, Robbie Erlin and Alex Vesia were among the pitchers who threw in the game.

Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes and non-roster invitee Stefen Romero all hit homers. Taylor and Barnes took Erlin deep. Romero got the best of Vesia. Notably, Max Muncy played defense at first base, but he wasn’t part of the lineup.

• Los Angeles signed right-hander Jimmy Nelson to a one-year deal with a club option for 2023. Nelson made 28 appearances for the Dodgers in ‘21, but his season came to an end after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He will miss the entire ‘22 season.

• Roberts said there’s still one player who hasn’t reported to camp but couldn’t specify who. Hanser Alberto, who reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers over the weekend, still has not reported. He does, however, have a locker set up inside the Dodgers clubhouse.

• Blake Treinen also wasn’t in camp on Tuesday, but that’s due to him attending to a family matter. He’s expected to be back on Wednesday.