Dodgers' Mookie Betts Opens up About Return From Illness
Mookie Betts missed some of the early part of the season due to a stomach virus, one that he was unsure of when it happened.
It was a bit uncertain what happened to Betts, but he's healthy now, and that's all that matters.
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Despite that being the case, he admitted Thursday that this sickness has hit him in the worst possible way.
'I didn't realize how coming back so much underweight would affect me even now,' Betts said to The Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. 'Trying to do that 20 pounds lighter, I just created some really, really, really bad habits, man.'
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) fields a ground ball during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium.Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
It doesn't look like Betts is struggling on the field, but his numbers aren't as elite as they typically are. Still, he has a 121 OPS+ and has been far above average.
However, for Betts, who many consider one of the top 10 players in Major League Baseball, at worst, he's typically a bit better.
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His numbers are a bit down compared to prior seasons, but it's been 34 games. Whether that's due to his illness or not is one thing, but it's far too early to suggest that something is wrong or lingering outside of the weight loss.
Betts' sickness has been one of many situations that the Dodgers have had to deal with in the early stages of the campaign.
The team has been derailed by injuries, and his sickness didn't help that. However, they've still performed at a high level, currently sitting in first place in the National League West with a 25-12 record.
Related: Execs Give Update for Dodgers on Luis Robert Jr. Trade Rumors
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