GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Mookie Betts had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023.

The Dodgers superstar hit a career-high 39 homers, finished second in National League Most Valuable Player voting and became an All-Star for the seventh time in his likely-to-be Hall of Fame career.

But at the end of the season, all Betts could think about was how it all ended. He went 0-for-11 in the National League Division Series against the D-backs, marking the first time he went hitless in a postseason. While Betts acknowledged that he can’t change the past, he did admit that it fueled his offseason.

“[The postseason] is when I didn’t show up,” Betts said. “I didn’t do anything to help the team. I know I take great pride in doing what I can to help the team. But I also had a pretty good stretch. Played pretty well last year. Obviously not when it mattered. But I've got to give myself a little pat on the back, say good job, but also know that I've got to come and show up when it matters.”

Figuring out how to stay sharp heading into the postseason is one of the hardest things to accomplish in the sport. It’s why the stars of the game aren’t always the biggest contributors in the playoffs. But when it comes to Betts, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes things began to turn in September as he chased some personal goals.

“To me, I think there was a little bit of chasing 40 homers,” Roberts said. “I think that’s something that bled into his September. He could disagree, and that’s fine, and I think that’s natural to chase certain numbers. I can understand that. But I don’t know.”

Regardless of why Betts struggled late in the season, he understands he needs to perform better in the postseason. For superstars and for a club like the Dodgers, nothing else matters unless they win the last game of the season. Winning the offseason won’t be enough for the 2024 Dodgers, either. They have to win a World Series. As always, Betts expects to be in the middle of it.

“It’s fun to have those expectations,” Betts said. “It’s hard, but it’s fun. It’s fun. That’s the reason why you play the game. Nobody wants to play the game to come second, third or fourth. We all want to win and we just have to do our part in helping us win.”

As Betts put the postseason disappointment behind him, he was ready to get started on his preparation for the 2024 season about a week after it finished. Betts went back to Driveline Baseball in Seattle over the winter, something he did before the '23 season.

Last winter, working out at Driveline resulted in Betts gaining 10 pounds. That clearly worked for Betts, who played 152 games in second base and right field.

“Mookie cares,” Roberts said. “That’s why our guys respect him and like him and fans resonate with him. But I think as far as 2024 [goes], he looks great physically. He looked focused coming into camp, so I expect another great year from him.”

For the first time since Betts was a Minor Leaguer with the Red Sox, he’ll come into Spring Training as an everyday second baseman. Betts will still get the occasional start in right field, and he will surely move to the outfield once the Dodgers utilize their bench during games. But he’s Los Angeles’ everyday second baseman.

Despite winning six Gold Glove Awards in right field, Betts has never shied away from admitting his preference of playing the infield. The idea to move him was a collaboration between Betts and the Dodgers. But Betts does feel better physically when he plays fewer outfield innings, as was evident in 2023.

With Betts assuming a position he grew up playing in, and the motivation that came with the disappointing loss in 2023, the Dodgers are eager to find out just what the '18 AL MVP has in store this season.

“I have to go play. No matter what position it is, I have to show up and play,” Betts said. “That’s all I care about right now. Being the best Mookie I can be for eight months straight.”

• Shohei Ohtani stole the show on Monday, taking batting practice on the field for the first time since undergoing a second major right elbow surgery in September. Ohtani took 21 swings over two rounds of batting practice, launching 10 balls over the fence.

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto is also getting used to the lofty expectations that will surround him this season. Yamamoto has thrown two bullpen sessions to start the spring. One of the biggest adjustments for the right-hander will be getting used to the ball used in Major League Baseball, which is different from the one in Nippon Professional Baseball.

• Joe Kelly and Will Smith were away from camp for a few days, but the right-hander and star catcher were back on Monday. Non-roster invitee Dinelson Lamet is the only player from the pitcher/catcher group who has yet to report.

• Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and Ryan Yarbrough enter camp as the leading candidates for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Walker Buehler, who has been throwing bullpen sessions, will start the season on the injured list.

• Miguel Vargas is coming into Spring Training as a left fielder. Vargas was the team’s starting second baseman to begin the 2023 season, but he was optioned to Triple-A  Oklahoma City after a slow start at the plate.

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