Slumping Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts benched against Brewers

 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts, mired in one of the worst slumps of his career, was benched for Saturday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, and manager Dave Roberts said he may hold the veteran shortstop out of Sunday’s lineup as well.

“No, this wasn’t scheduled,” Roberts said of the rare day off for Betts. “In talking to him, seeing where his head’s at and seeing where he’s at mechanically, I just felt tonight was a night that he needed to be down. He wanted to be out there, but I wanted to take it out of his hands, give him a day to just watch a baseball game.

“I understand that we just had four days off for the (All-Star) break, but showing up to the ballpark and not participating, watching, that’s a different mindset, a different psyche, than being at home. I think for the mind, it will be beneficial.”

Betts, the 2018 AL Most Valuable Player with the Boston Red Sox, entered Saturday with a .241 average, .688 OPS, 11 homers, 13 doubles and 45 RBIs in 116 games, production far below his career .291 average and .884 OPS.

But the 32-year-old’s struggles have worsened since early June.