Days before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ home opener against the Tigers on Thursday, March 27, star shortstop Mookie Betts is grappling with a mysterious stomach ailment that’s left the team and fans on edge. Betts, scratched from Sunday’s Freeway Series game against the Angels, revealed to reporters that he’s dropped to 157 pounds—nearly 20 pounds below his usual playing weight—due to persistent nausea and vomiting that started before the Dodgers’ trip to Japan. “I’m tired of sitting, tired of throwing up, tired of doing all this. I just really want to play,” Betts said, per Dodger Insider on X.
The eight-time All-Star hasn’t played since March 11 and described the toll of his condition, saying, “My body’s just kind of eating itself… Every time I fuel my body, I throw up.” Despite normal bloodwork and vitals, the cause remains undiagnosed, and Betts admitted he’s “scared to eat.” He’s been able to work out and keep fluids down, but the inability to eat solid food has him worried about his performance. “It’s just hard to fathom not eating and going to play a game,” he said, noting he might have to “play uphill” early in the season due to his lighter frame. Team doctors have prescribed a new medication to calm his stomach, with more tests planned in the coming days.
The Dodgers’ medical staff, led by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, is taking a cautious approach. ElAttrache warned that dehydration could lead to muscle strains like a torn oblique or hamstring, which could sideline Betts for six weeks—a risk the team can’t afford early in the season. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Betts won’t play on Monday and left his status for Opening Day uncertain, with Miguel Rojas set to handle shortstop duties in the meantime.
Betts’ illness is a major concern for the defending World Series champions, who need their star at full strength for a title defense. The 32-year-old, who hit .290 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs in 2024 while transitioning to shortstop, is a cornerstone of the lineup alongside Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. His mental strain is evident—he called the uncertainty “draining”—and with no clear diagnosis, the Dodgers are bracing for a potentially rocky start. If Betts can’t play on Thursday, the team will lean on Rojas, but all eyes are on the medical staff to solve this troubling mystery before it derails their season.
