As the Los Angeles Dodgers begin the final stretch of their 2025 season, a familiar question is surfacing once again: Should Mookie Betts return to right field? While manager Dave Roberts has dismissed any concrete plans for now, recent defensive — and offensive — struggles in the outfield corners are making this conversation impossible to ignore.

With the team’s outfield ranking just 19th among MLB clubs in total wins above replacement and 22nd in defensive rating, the Dodgers could conceivably benefit from some position shifting.

Teoscar’s Defensive Dilemma

Veteran Teoscar Hernandez entered the weekend with -9 outs above average, according to Statcast. That placed him 36th among 38 qualified right fielders in the MLB. The reality is that Hernandez has become a defensive liability in right field, a position that demands a solid glove and range he simply hasn’t provided.

Last week’s series against the Rockies illustrated his struggles perfectly. Two hits that fell in front of Hernandez proved costly, each leading to runs for Colorado, including the eventual game winner in the ninth inning. In one crucial moment, a shallow fly ball off the bat of Ezequiel Tovar tipped off Hernández’s glove and bounced away, with Tovar reaching second before scoring on a walk-off single.

Moving Hernandez to left field could be the answer. Left field is generally less demanding physically, requiring fewer long throws and typically seeing fewer crucial plays that can change games. Hernandez has experience there from last season, and while he struggled defensively there too, the mistakes were less glaring and costly. The key factor — his bat is simply too valuable to remove from the lineup, as he’s contributed 21 home runs, 24 doubles and 76 RBI this year.

The situation could boil down to whether the team prefers offense over defense or vice-versa. Another veteran, Michael Conforto has been seeing most of the regular time in left field. While his glove is certainly miles better than Hernandez’s, the lefty-hitting Conforto is batting just .185/.293/.317 in 400 at bats this year.

The Comfort Factor for Mookie

When Betts is comfortable and confident at the plate, the Dodgers transform into an entirely different offensive machine. His struggles this season — batting a career-low .246/.316/.371 entering the weekend — have coincided with his learning curve at shortstop, raising questions about whether the mental energy spent mastering a new position is affecting his offensive production.

“I don’t care,” Betts said of where he stands on the field. “I’ll play wherever. Whatever it takes.” While Betts has shown remarkable professionalism about his positional flexibility, putting him back in right field could unlock the offensive explosion the Dodgers desperately need.

Right field was Betts’ home for years, where he won six Gold Glove Awards and established himself as one of baseball’s elite defenders. The muscle memory, the instincts, the comfort level — all of these factors could contribute to better at bats. When Betts is firing on all cylinders offensively, this Dodgers lineup becomes nearly unstoppable.

Tommy Edman — The Versatile Solution

The potential return of Tommy Edman could be the key that unlocks multiple solutions. Edman estimated a return would come during the first week of September. Even more importantly, Edman recently hinted about a potential return to the outfield, saying: “That’s the plan. I’ll definitely be checking that box off before I go out and play, making sure I’m able to handle center field.”

This versatility creates multiple scenarios for the Dodgers. If they move Betts back to right field, Edman could seamlessly slide into shortstop, where he has experience and defensive reliability. Alternatively, the Dodgers could keep Betts at short, shift Hernández to left field, and deploy Edman in center field — creating a defensive alignment that addresses multiple weak spots simultaneously.

That would leave the right field duties to Andy Pages, who is having a solid year offensively with 21 doubles, 21 long balls and a .273 average. Pages also possesses an above-average arm that’s ideally suited for right field, and his defensive metrics suggest he could be an upgrade over Hernández.

Multiple Lineup Solutions Available

The beauty of having Edman back is in the daily flexibility it would provide Roberts. Some days might call for Betts in right field with Edman at shortstop. Other matchups might favor keeping Edman in center with Miguel Rojas at short . The key is having options that don’t force the team into suboptimal defensive arrangements night after night.

Roberts has often used the phrase “net sum” to describe the concept of getting the most out of their lineup day in and day out. Currently, that net sum includes significant defensive deficiencies that opponents can exploit. Having multiple options would allow Roberts to optimize both offense and defense based on matchups, opposing lineups and game situations.

Looking Ahead

“I think right now, having Edman out, Hyeseong Kim out, Max Muncy out, just trying to manage playing time and not exposing [rookie infielder] Alex Freeland too much, I love the way Mookie’s playing short,” Roberts said. “Though I think that’s a fair question, I don’t think we’re there quite yet.”

The Dodgers aren’t in panic mode, nor should they be. But as October approaches and the defensive holes in right field become more pronounced, having a contingency plan becomes increasingly important. The current arrangement might work for now, but if Hernandez’s defensive struggles worsen or become a more glaring vulnerability in high-leverage situations, the Dodgers need to have alternatives ready.

The defending World Series champions have the luxury of time to evaluate their options, but they also have the personnel [when healthy] to make meaningful improvements. Whether that means returning Betts to right field or finding creative ways to optimize their defensive alignment with Edman’s return, the pieces are there.
The question isn’t whether the Dodgers can fix their outfield issues — it’s simply when they’ll decide the current arrangement is no longer working.