Mookie Betts made a triumphant return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Tuesday night, his first appearance since March 9, and confidently declared his readiness for domestic Opening Day. This comes after a multi-week battle with a stomach virus that had cast doubt on his availability.
“I’m perfectly fine. Perfectly normal. That’s pretty much it,” Betts stated following his five innings at shortstop and three at-bats in the Dodgers’ victory over the Los Angeles Angels, concluding the Freeway Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Mookie Betts Feeling “Normal” After Scary Bout With Belly Bug
This optimistic outlook marked a significant shift from his previous expressions of frustration and confusion regarding his mysterious illness. “I think it was just a little time, and yeah, the medicine worked,” Betts explained, alluding to a new medication prescribed by doctors to address his “really aggravated” stomach. Notably, he revealed that an official diagnosis had remained elusive.
The prolonged illness and resulting inability to consume solid food led to an estimated 20-pound weight loss for Betts, raising concerns about dehydration and his overall physical condition. However, Betts reassured that his physical strength remained intact.
“I’m actually stronger than I was before,” Betts asserted. “My body has been perfectly fine. It’s only been my stomach. Literally only my stomach. I’ve been working out, doing everything perfectly normal. It was just hard to hold down food.”
The Dodgers plan to have Betts participate in a workout on Wednesday, and he fully anticipates playing in the Dodger Stadium opener. “I mean, I played in the game,” Betts said, referencing his return. “Once I step foot on the dirt, I’m ready to go.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had indicated on Monday that Betts “turned a corner,” suggesting a breakthrough in understanding the root cause of his illness, though he declined to provide specifics. Betts confirmed this but also refrained from divulging details.
“I just figured out what it was, figured out what I needed to stay away from, and turned the corner,” he said. When pressed about the specific dietary changes that helped him overcome the vomiting, Betts replied, “I’ll keep that in-house.”