Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Has Lost Nearly 20 Pounds, Can’t Eat Solid Foods Amid Brutal Illness
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without superstar Mookie Betts since the final two Cactus League contests of spring training.
Although he traveled with the team to Japan, he missed the exhibition games and was on a plane back home before Opening Day. Although the 2018 American League MVP was announced to be back in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Freeway Series game against the Los Angeles Angels, he was a late scratch to the lineup and once again didn’t take the field.
More news: Could Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Start the Season On Injured List?
Betts opened up to the media during Sunday’s matchup and provided a little more clarity on just how severe this mysterious stomach bug has been.
“My body’s just kind of eating itself,” Betts said. “It’s hard to not fuel it. And so every time — literally, every time — I fuel my body, I throw up.”
He added: “I don’t know what to do.”
The shortstop has only been able to keep down smoothies during his sickness and as a result, his weight dropped from 175 pounds — his mark at the beginning of spring — to 157.
More news: Dodgers Have No Idea How Mookie Betts Got Sick, Says Dave Roberts
He detailed to reporters what it was like to travel across the globe in the midst of his poor health, only to be sent home from Tokyo before the first pitch of the new season was thrown.
“The plane ride was brutal,” Betts said. “That was one of the worst plane rides I ever had. (I) got there and got one workout in. That was a really bad trip to Tokyo. I came back on another bad plane ride. It hasn’t been anything very encouraging, but it is what it is.”
Through everything, Betts is a competitor. One doesn’t win three World Series trophies without the desire to battle through adversity.
“I just want to play, man,” Betts said. “I’m tired of sitting, tired of just throwing up, tired of doing all this stuff. I really just want to play.”
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Betts will be out once again Monday, but the superstar must heal and regain his weight as not to further risk injury by being too aggressive in his return.
His status for the Thursday’s Opening Day is very much in question.
More news: Dodgers’ Alex Vesia Reveals How He Plans to Build Off Strong 2024 Season
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!
