Los Angeles Dodgers Shortstop Mookie Betts Feeling Stronger After Illness
A mainstay in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup was missing for the last week or so during spring training and at the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series.
Mookie Betts missed a handful of games dealing with stomach issues, which he said on multiple occasions kept him from being able to keep food down.
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According to a report from MLB.com's Sarah Wexler, Betts lost at least 18 pounds due to the stomach illness. Wexler reported on Monday that Betts started spring training at 175 pounds and now weighs 157 pounds.
However, Betts is back in the Dodgers lineup and started the club's Opening Day game at shortstop in the 5-4 win against 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
A few days prior, Betts discussed his illness with the reporters and made a surprising statement, saying that he feels better now than he did before his stomach issues occurred.
'I'm actually stronger than I was before. My body has been perfectly fine,' Betts told reporters on Tuesday, per DodgerBlue.com. 'It's only been my stomach. Literally only my stomach. I've been working out and doing everything perfectly normal. It was just hard to hold down food.'
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The Dodgers outfielder-turned-shortstop doubled down on the notion that he is in good health and will be playing every day.
'Oh yeah, I'm perfectly fine," Betts added. "Perfectly normal. That's pretty much it.'
Betts, a three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star, went 1-for-3 with a walk in Thursday's game against the Tigers. He played 12 games during spring training and hit .214 with one home run and three RBIs in 32 plate appearances.
Related: Dodgers and Orioles Swap Future All-Stars in Trade Pitch
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