Mookie Betts, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar shortstop, has ignited a firestorm of speculation about his future after reportedly missing a scheduled workout with Dodgers legend Steve Garvey and privately expressing frustration with his current situation. The 33-year-old former MVP, who has endured a challenging 2025 season, was set to participate in first base workouts with Garvey, a 10-time All-Star and 1974 NL MVP, to refine his infield versatility. However, a Red Sox spokesman’s revelation that Betts skipped the session has fueled rumors of a potential reunion with his former team, the Boston Red Sox, where he still considers “home.” The news, coupled with Betts’ candid admission of discontent—“It’s not what I expected”—has sent shockwaves through the baseball world.

Betts’ tenure with the Dodgers, which began with a blockbuster trade from Boston in February 2020, has been marked by brilliance and accolades. A three-time World Series champion (2018 with Boston, 2020 and 2024 with Los Angeles), Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million extension with the Dodgers, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the franchise. His 2025 season, however, has been uncharacteristically turbulent. Battling a stomach illness that caused a 20-pound weight loss before Opening Day, Betts has posted a career-low .241 batting average and a .696 OPS, a stark contrast to his .346 average and MVP form in 2018. His struggles at the plate, combined with the physical demands of playing shortstop full-time, have led to visible frustration, as noted by manager Dave Roberts after a recent 2-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The missed workout with Garvey, who was invited to mentor Dodgers infielders during a homestand against the Minnesota Twins on July 21, 2025, has raised eyebrows. A Red Sox spokesman, in an unexpected statement, confirmed Betts’ absence, hinting at underlying tensions. Sources close to the situation, cited by The Athletic, reveal that Betts felt the session was poorly timed, given his ongoing efforts to recalibrate his swing after the early-season illness. “Mookie’s been grinding to get his rhythm back,” one source said. “He didn’t see the point of adding first base to his plate when he’s already stretched thin at shortstop.” The decision to skip the workout reportedly frustrated Dodgers management, who viewed Garvey’s expertise as a chance to bolster Betts’ versatility, especially with injuries to players like Kiké Hernández and Tommy Edman thinning the roster.

Behind closed doors, Betts has reportedly confided in teammates about his longing for Boston, where he spent six seasons and won a World Series. “Boston still feels like home,” he allegedly told a confidant, per posts on X, sparking rampant speculation about a return. The Red Sox, currently 44-54 and struggling with a 5.01 ERA from starter Walker Buehler, are rumored to be eyeing a blockbuster move before the July 31 trade deadline. While a trade for Betts, who is under contract through 2032, seems unlikely, the Red Sox’s recent acquisition of Alex Bregman and their pursuit of a first baseman like Yandy Díaz suggest they are open to bold roster changes. Betts’ history with Boston—where he hit .295 and earned four Gold Gloves—makes the idea of a reunion emotionally compelling, though financially complex.

Dodgers fans, meanwhile, are reeling from the news. Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time All-Star, remains a fan favorite, despite his 2025 struggles. His recent move to the leadoff spot, orchestrated by Roberts to spark his bat, yielded a 1-for-5 performance with a run scored against the Twins, offering a glimmer of hope. However, his .627 OPS since June and increased chase rate outside the strike zone indicate deeper mechanical issues. “You get so lost in it,” Betts told The Athletic, reflecting on his slump. “I’ve never been this bad for this long.” The Dodgers, at 59-42, lead the NL West but have lost 10 of their last 12 games, amplifying concerns about Betts’ form and the team’s postseason prospects.

The Red Sox reunion rumors have also drawn mixed reactions. Some Boston fans on X dream of Betts returning to Fenway, where he electrified crowds with 89 leadoff home runs. Others, wary of the 2020 trade that sent him to Los Angeles for Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong, see it as a long shot. Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes, addressing Betts’ role, emphasized his value to the team, stating, “Mookie’s the most selfless superstar we’ve ever been around.” Yet, with the trade deadline looming and injuries mounting—closer Tanner Scott faces an MRI for a forearm injury, and Hernández remains sidelined—the Dodgers may need to reassess their strategy. As Betts navigates his frustrations and the weight of expectations, his comment, “It’s not what I expected,” resonates as a poignant reflection of a season—and perhaps a career—at a crossroads.