The domestic season opener is in serious doubt for Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, who has lost nearly 20 pounds since the onset of an illness earlier this month.
Betts said he feels like his body is “kind of eating itself” and has consumed only smoothies and other liquid calories for nearly two weeks. Betts did not play in the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs last week and his return date remains unclear while a specific medical diagnosis continues to be fleeting.
Part of the concern is regaining strength and stamina. The former MVP was originally diagnosed with a stomach virus, with all of the original symptoms now gone, except for recurring vomiting.
Betts was in the Dodgers’ lineup for an exhibition home game Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels but was scratched well in advance of first pitch.
Betts weighed around 175 pounds as recently as two weeks ago. He said he’s at 157 pounds this week because he cannot consume solid food without vomiting.
“I don’t think anybody really knows. My body’s just kind of eating itself, and so it’s hard to not fuel it,” Betts said. “Every time, literally, every time I fuel my body, I throw it up and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Manager Dave Roberts plans to use Betts as his everyday shortstop this season. Without him, the Dodgers went 2-0 against the Cubs in Tokyo while Miguel Rojas played short.
The 32-year-old Betts did take infield practice on Sunday before he was scratched after he vomited. He will not be with the team for its game at Anaheim on Monday and instead will go through a workout at Dodger Stadium. He said more medical tests will be upcoming if the vomiting persists.
“It’s just hard to fathom not eating and going to play a game,” Betts said. “So it looks like I’m just going to be light for a little bit. Maybe I play uphill a little bit for the beginning of the season. But no, I just want to play, man. I’m tired of sitting, tired of throwing up, tired of doing all this. I really just want to play.”
After exhibition games against the Angels on Monday and Tuesday, the Dodgers resume the regular season Thursday against the Tigers.
“It’s certainly not ideal as we look at the home opener,” Roberts said late Sunday night. “So we’ll just kind of take it day by day.”
