Saturday was a big day in the Dodgers' minor league system, with a superstar nearing his return and several prospects making headlines.
Mookie Betts took another step toward rejoining the big league club, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a single in his second rehab game with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Playing six innings at shortstop, the former MVP showed his trademark aggressiveness on the basepaths, advancing from first to third base twice. Over two rehab games, Betts has collected two singles and a walk in six plate appearances.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the plan: "He's going to play tonight, then he'll be off for travel, and join us Monday." Betts has been sidelined for five weeks with a strained oblique. His rehab stint adds him to an exclusive list of former MVPs to play for Oklahoma City, joining Cody Bellinger (2021) and Clayton Kershaw (multiple stints since 2017).
In the same game, reliever Brusdar Graterol had a rocky outing in his third rehab appearance, allowing a run on two walks, a balk, and a triple while recording just two outs.
Down in Double-A Tulsa, speedster Kendall George put on a show. The outfielder singled twice, stole two bases, and scored both times after reaching. His first run came on a throwing error in the third, and his second followed a catcher's error in the eighth. With two hits Saturday, George now boasts a .336/.425/.388 slash line and leads the Texas League with 18 steals. For context, at this point last season—when he finished with a remarkable 100 stolen bases in 111 games—he had just 11 steals for Great Lakes.
Finally, Jack Suwinski provided the power in Oklahoma City's win over the Salt Lake Bees. He tied the game twice: first with an RBI single in the third inning, then with a two-run home run during a four-run seventh inning that proved decisive. Suwinski has been on an extra-base-hit tear, and his clutch performance was a highlight of the day.
From a superstar's rehab to prospects making plays, it was a Saturday full of promise for the Dodgers' future.