Mar 23, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Mookie Betts’ Latest Health Update Has Dodgers Fans Worried

Mookie Betts' Dodgers home opener status remains uncertain!

Mar 23, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mookie Betts’ availability remains uncertain after an ongoing illness forced him to leave the Dodgers’ trip to Japan early. Initially expected to recover in time for the team’s return, Betts’ condition has continued to be a cause for concern.

The star shortstop was initially listed in Sunday’s lineup for the Freeway Series exhibition against the Angels, seemingly signaling his return to action. However, just 90 minutes before the game, Betts was removed due to persistent illness, leaving only Freddie Freeman, who also missed the Dodgers’ opening series in Tokyo, in the starting lineup. Miguel Rojas took Betts’ place at shortstop as the Dodgers cruised to a 7-1 victory.

Betts has reportedly been struggling with severe nausea and an inability to keep down solid food for nearly two weeks. The issue began ahead of the Dodgers’ Cactus League finale on March 11 and has led to a significant weight loss of approximately 15 pounds. While he has been able to tolerate liquids like smoothies and even received an IV treatment in Tokyo, consuming solid foods has resulted in vomiting every time.

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His weight has dropped from 175 pounds at the start of Spring Training to just 157 pounds, adding another layer of frustration for Betts as he continues searching for answers.

Mookie Betts has lost roughly around 23 pounds over the last two weeks.

Betts said it all began two days before leaving to Tokyo. @SportingTrib | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/a79oOTTTQk
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) March 24, 2025

“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,” Betts said. “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.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Betts’ condition, he insists that beyond the eating difficulties, he otherwise feels fine. However, no official diagnosis has been given, leaving both the player and the team without a clear path forward.

Fans are concerned about Mookie Betts’ illness

Mookie Betts is an integral part of the Dodgers lineup. More importantly, he’s an integral part of baseball, and everyone wants to see their favorite players out in the field, competing, and not down in a situation like this. Mookie Betts’ absence was already a big miss for Tokyo, and the Dodgers and the rest of the baseball world would be hoping that doesn’t carry into their home opener against the Detroit Tigers.

Scary. Hope he gets healthy. What a ball player.
— jeff soto (@SotoSocial) March 24, 2025

Unreal! 😳
— Joel Heineman (@JoelHeineman) March 24, 2025

Speedy recovery Mookie.

Hopefully he recovers sooner than later. Prayers for him
— Emporium (@EmporiumPix) March 24, 2025

Feel really bad for Mookie. Can’t imagine the toll it took on him to fly for 13 hours there feeling sick then having to go back another 13 knowing what u just went thru. Wishing nothing but the best for him
— Northwestern BBall Guru (@nubbguruinsider) March 24, 2025

Hate to hear this. Losing 23 pounds is serious. Especially for a professional athlete.
— CP (@GrandTheftPrado) March 24, 2025

Get well soon, Mookie!
— KrisCo64 (@Krisco64) March 24, 2025

The Dodgers’ depth ensures they can manage without him in the short term, but having Betts healthy and back in the lineup is crucial, not just for the team, but for baseball as a whole.

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Mookie Betts

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.