(Per AP News) Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts broke his left hand when he was hit by a pitch during the seventh inning of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. The former MVP and seven-time All-Star was injured after being drilled in the hand by a 97.9 mph fastball from Dan Altavilla.

Betts will see Dr. Steven Shin, a hand specialist, on Monday; when asked in the clubhouse after the game if he knew immediately the hand was broken, Betts told reporters: “I think that’s the first time I got hit in the hand so I wasn’t sure. I just went numb and it hurt. Unfortunately, it’s broke. There’s (nothing) we can really do now. Just kind of up and in. I was holding my ground. Unfortunately, it hit me in the hand.”

Dodgers’ manager David Roberts also told reporters after the game that Betts will be out for “some time” but will not need surgery. Roberts said: “It’s a big blow. I feel bad for Mookie because he’s having an MVP-type season .. You never want your guys to get hit. But just by his reaction, I felt that this was different.”

Meanwhile, Royals pitcher Altavilla said he was trying to go inside but that the fastball “slipped arm-side” and that there was “absolutely no intent.” Royals manager Matt Quatraro added: “We’re trying to get Dan some innings and see how he can do here. It’s very unfortunate. I mean, I feel terribly. No one wants to see that, especially to a guy like Mookie, who we all revere for his professionalism and what he means to the game.”

Betts went 0 for 3 Sunday to drop his batting average to .304, ninth in the majors. He was fourth in on-base percentage (.405) and tied for fifth in hits (86). Miguel Rojas will take over as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop with Kiké Hernández also getting time at the position.

Editorial credit: Conor P. Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com