The Los Angeles Dodgers, the hottest team in the National League, got even stronger Thursday with the return of right fielder Mookie Betts from the injured list.
Betts missed 16 games due to right hip inflammation, and the Dodgers won 14 times in that span.
The same ailment kept Betts, 28, out for 11 games in late July.
A five-time All-Star and the 2018 American League MVP while with the Boston Red Sox, Betts is hitting .277 with a .378 on-base percentage, a .521 slugging percentage, 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 87 games this year.
The Dodgers cleared a spot for Betts on the active roster by optioning outfielder/infielder Matt Beaty to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Beaty, 28, was hitting .262/.358/.374 with five homers and 34 RBIs in 105 games.
The team made another move Thursday to beef up the bullpen following a 16-inning win over the San Diego Padres the previous night. Left-hander Darien Nunez was recalled from Triple-A, and infielder Gavin Lux was optioned to Oklahoma City.
Nunez, 28, rejoins the Dodgers for the fourth time this season. He previously went 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA in six games, including one start.
Lux, 23, was hitting .221/.302/.340 with six homers and 37 RBIs in 85 games. He was hitless in his past 14 at-bats dating back to July 16.
–Field Level Media