Mookie Betts, in a dramatic return to form, became the hero of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ fourth game of the season, their second since returning from Japan. Despite missing the series against the Chicago Cubs due to a debilitating stomach illness that caused him to lose 25 pounds, Betts took the field at shortstop and delivered a stellar performance.
Mookie Betts Not On Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup For Saturday Night
Even with diminished bat speed resulting from his weight loss, Betts displayed remarkable resilience, hitting two home runs, including a walk-off in the 10th inning. The fans at Elysian Park erupted in celebration, praising Betts for his unwavering dedication and performance.
However, this heroic effort came at a cost. In the series finale against the Detroit Tigers, Betts was given a scheduled day of rest. Tommy Edman took his spot in the lineup, while Miguel Rojas filled in at shortstop. This decision, though timed to coincide with Betts’s triumphant return, was pre-planned to allow him to recover from his illness.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed this, informing reporters that Betts’s absence was part of a strategy to provide him with back-to-back days of rest. “Dave Roberts reiterated this was a planned off day for Betts to give him back-to-back days to rest after his stomach virus,” reported LA Times’ Jack Harris. “Roberts is expecting Betts to be back on an everyday schedule moving forward.”
Therefore, Betts’s absence was not a reaction to his spectacular performance, but rather a necessary step in his recovery, allowing him to gradually return to his full-time playing schedule.