Mookie Betts Skipped MLB Awards Hosting-Dave Roberts Picks Shohei Ohtani as Top Replacement

**Mookie Betts was scratched from co-hosting the 2026 MLB Awards** after a minor wrist issue on July 1, leaving comedian Roy Wood Jr. to scout replacements. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts immediately pitched **Shohei Ohtani** as the top choice, calling him ‘wittier than people think’-a nod to Betts’ past role alongside Wood in 2025.

Betts’ wrist concern-reportedly sidelining him for a July 1 game-made hosting impractical. Wood, who teamed with Betts at last year’s ceremony, sought fresh faces. Roberts’ suggestion came during All-Star Week in Philadelphia, where he lobbied for Ohtani’s charisma without directly comparing him to Betts.

Roberts tossed out **Bryce Harper**, **Mike Trout**, and even his own Dodgers catcher **Kiké Hernández**, joking the latter would be ‘hilarious.’ His list avoided bias, though Ohtani’s two-way star power stood out. Wood pressed Roberts on ‘clubhouse chemistry,’ prompting a quick clarification: *‘I did not say Shohei was better than Mookie.’*

The **fourth annual MLB Awards**, set for November, will feature Wood and one of Roberts’ picks. Ohtani’s inclusion would mark a first for the two-way phenom in a high-profile hosting role. Betts’ absence highlights how injuries can reshape even off-field responsibilities-though his 2025 co-hosting drew praise for balancing humor with sportsmanship.

Last year’s ceremony saw Betts and Wood mix sharp banter with lighthearted moments, including a nod to Betts’ 2023 MVP season. His quick wit and familiarity with MLB’s elite made him a natural fit. This year’s wrist issue, however, forced a pivot-one Roberts framed as an opportunity to spotlight other talents.