Inside: Mookie Betts was blunt in assessing his season so far: ‘Bad.’

When it comes to Mookie Betts, Mookie Betts is a tough critic.

During spring training, he used “serviceable” as his oneword assessment of his 2020 season — a season that saw him finish as the runner-up for the National League MVP award.

Halfway through the 2021 season, the Dodgers outfielder was asked for a oneword assessment of his season to date.

“Bad. This would be bad,” Betts said before Tuesday’s game against the Marlins. “We have another half. I’m trying to turn it around and get things rolling and help the team get some more wins.”

Betts is already helping the team win, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, even if this season hasn’t lived up to his normal standards.

“I think bad is very strong. But I do like the expectations,” Roberts said. “It’s all relative. The bar is certainly higher when you’re talking about a player of his caliber.

“What I will say is, a lot of the things us as an organization value as an overall ballplayer — things that are under the hood, things that really kind of project and see how we see the rest of the season playing out – are all really good. They line up. So I expect him to get going and I guess, as he put it, not be bad for much longer. He’s a winning player and we wouldn’t be where we are without him. He’s an easy player to bet on.”

Betts’ peers agree. Despite a .247 batting average and .812 OPS through Monday’s game – the lowest of his career at the All-Star break (other than his 52-game rookie season in 2014) – Betts was voted to the NL All-Star team by his fellow players.

Betts said the selection was “absolutely” a surprise.

“Obviously I haven’t played that great. I was definitely surprised,” he said.

“I thoroughly enjoy this brotherhood we have in baseball . ... I think this just kind of shows that it’s more than just the stats. It’s a lot of things that go behind the selections and, like I said, I’m just thankful.”

Bullpen changes

With a bullpen game planned on Wednesday, the Dodgers shuffled their roster, recalling left-hander Garrett Cleavinger and adding right-hander Jake Reed, while placing left-hander Victor Gonzalez on the injured list. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was designated for assignment to clear a second roster spot.

The official reason for Gonzalez’s move to the IL is plantar fasciitis in his left foot – but the 25-year-old lefthander clearly needs some downtime. Gonzalez has made a team-high 36 appearances and over his past 10 has allowed 16 of the 33 batters he has faced to reach base (10 hits and six walks in six innings pitched).

Souza was 4 for 25 (.160) in 13 games since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Reed has spent time in the Twins and Angels organizations but has never pitched in the majors. He signed with the Dodgers in early June after being released by the Angels and allowed three runs while striking out 11 in 10-1/3 innings with Oklahoma City.

Reed’s wife, Janie, is an outfielder for the U.S. women’s softball team and will be competing in the Olympics in Tokyo this month.

All-Star staff

Roberts announced that former Dodgers outfielder and hitting coach Reggie Smith will be added as an honorary member on his staff at the All-Star Game.

A seven-time All-Star during his 17-year career with the Boston Red Sox, Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, Smith was part of the 30-homer foursome with the pennantwinning Dodgers in 1977 that also included Dusty Baker, Ron Cey and Steve Garvey.

Smith also served as the Dodgers’ hitting coach from 1994 through 1999 under managers Tommy Lasorda and Bill Russell.

Seager’s status

Shortstop Corey Seager has resumed taking swings again, Roberts said. Seager had stopped swinging a bat as part of his rehab from a broken bone in his hand when he experienced some soreness in the hand.

“I think he was up to 40 swings the last couple days. So that’s a good thing,” Roberts said. “Our expectation is that sometime shortly after the break he will be active and taking at-bats to be active with us.”

Seager was moved to the 60-day IL last week and will not be eligible to return until after the All-Star break.