Days earlier than the Dodgers’ house opener, Mookie Betts’ sickness has was a troubling thriller, and his current weight reduction is elevating pink flags.
Chatting with reporters after being scratched from Sunday night time’s Freeway Sequence recreation towards the Angels, Betts revealed he’s all the way down to 157 kilos — almost 20 kilos lighter than his regular taking part in weight — because of an undiagnosed abdomen ailment. The difficulty started simply earlier than the workforce’s journey to Japan and has prevented Betts from holding strong meals down.
“I’m uninterested in sitting, uninterested in throwing up, uninterested in doing all this. I simply actually wish to play,” Betts mentioned by way of Dodger Insider on X.
Betts was slated to start out at shortstop on Sunday, however was pulled from the lineup lower than two hours earlier than first pitch after vomiting once more. Regardless of feeling bodily sturdy in any other case, Betts admitted the fixed nausea and lack of ability to eat has left him “scared to eat.”
“My physique’s simply sort of consuming itself,” he added. “It’s laborious to not gasoline it. And so each time — actually, each time — I gasoline my physique, I throw up. … I don’t know what to do.”
Dodgers star continues to take care of lingering sickness
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Medical checks together with bloodwork and vitals have all come again regular, however the abdomen points persist. Workforce docs not too long ago prescribed him a brand new treatment to calm his abdomen, although Betts didn’t reveal the specifics. Further testing is predicted within the coming days.
The eight-time All-Star hasn’t performed since March 11, and whereas he’s been in a position to work out and maintain fluids down, Betts mentioned the uncertainty surrounding his situation has been mentally draining. His standing for Thursday’s house opener towards the Tigers stays in query.
“It’s simply laborious to fathom not consuming and going to play a recreation,” Betts mentioned. “So it appears like I’m simply going to be mild for a bit bit. Possibly I play uphill a bit bit for the start of the season.”
The Dodgers’ medical workers, led by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, is approaching Betts’ restoration with warning. ElAttrache emphasised that dehydration can result in muscle strains, noting that pushing a participant too quickly at this stage of the season may end up in prolonged absences.
“You’ve gotten Mookie come out right here, tear an indirect or hamstring, you possibly can lose him for six weeks,” ElAttrache instructed the Los Angeles Occasions.
Supervisor Dave Roberts confirmed Betts is not going to play on Monday and didn’t rule out sitting him for Opening Day. For now, Miguel Rojas is predicted to deal with shortstop duties. The Dodgers, aiming to defend their World Sequence title, know they’ll want a wholesome Betts at full energy for the lengthy haul. However with no prognosis and his weight down considerably, there’s rising concern in L.A. — particularly with Betts himself questioning how lengthy he can maintain taking part in on fumes.