Los Angeles Dodgers fans, get ready—Mookie Betts is on his way back. The superstar outfielder is set to begin a rehab assignment this Friday, marking a major step in his recovery from a right oblique injury that has sidelined him since early in the season.

Betts, who played in just the first eight games of 2026 before getting hurt, will suit up for the Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, for games on Friday and Saturday. This two-game stint is a critical milestone as he works his way back to the big league roster.

The eight-time All-Star and former AL MVP got off to an uncharacteristically slow start this year, posting a .179/.281/.429 slash line with two home runs and seven RBIs before the injury. His rehab journey hasn't been without bumps either, as he reportedly faced a setback during his recovery last month. But now, with live game action on the horizon, Betts has a chance to reset and rewrite his 2026 story.

However, his return will create a roster crunch for the Dodgers. One player likely on the chopping block is infielder Santiago Espinal, who has struggled to a .192/.269/.462 line with just two RBIs this season. "They're going to DFA Santiago Espinal," noted Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain. "There's just no spot on the roster for him. It's a tough business, but that's baseball."

Another name to watch is Alex Freeland, who has drawn criticism from fans after a costly ninth-inning strikeout on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Hyeseong Kim, who was called up after Betts got hurt, has played well enough to potentially stick around.

For now, all eyes are on Oklahoma City this weekend. If Betts shows he's healthy and ready, the Dodgers will have a tough decision to make—but it's a good problem to have when a future Hall of Famer is knocking on the door.