This is Serious!

Mookie Betts has been sick for nearly two weeks. He is still throwing up. Two weeks ago, he weighed 175 pounds. Now, he weighs 157 pounds. “My body’s just kind of eating itself,” he said. “It’s hard to not fuel it. And so every time — literally, every time — I fuel my body, I throw up. … I don’t know what to do.”

This is serious… really serious, and while I will not speculate as to what is wrong (mostly because I am not qualified), I think Mookie has to cease all baseball activity and go on the IL. He then needs to go to Mayo Clinic or some such institution and undergo a battery of tests. You don’t play with this stuff.

I am certain the Dodgers know this and won’t mess around. We need a healthy Mookie, but more importantly, the Doctors need to find out what is wrong. Hopefully, it is not anything serious, but they have to find out what it is. For a guy his size to lose almost 20 pounds is very serious. It will take a few weeks to recover. I know he wants to play, but the Dodgers need to place him on the IL and send his off to get a diagnosis and treatment.

Dodger News

  • Blake Snell will be the “Home Opener” starter at Dodger Stadium vs. Tarik Skubal.
  • Jackson Ferris gave us a nice preview of what he is becoming. Michael Busch is a good player, but Ferris and Hope could both be special.
  • I remain very high on Jack Dreyer.
  • I’m also a fan of Ben Casaparus. He has the guts of a cat burglar!
  • Okey may have gotten himself a deal with another team…
  • CT3 had a nice hit.

This article has 50 Comments

  1. Mookie’s illness seems very serious and is NOT something that should be overlooked. I’m sure the Dodgers are on top of the situation and will do whatever medically is best for Mookie. A IL stint seems very possdible at this point.

  2. Watched Kendall George last night and Mark you were spot on about a Juan Pierre comparison. His physical appearance isn’t going to generate much power and why he was a first round draft pick by the Dodgers is beyond me.

    1. Just looked it up.
      Juan Pierre sure gets dissed a lot for a guy who had 2,217 hits over a 14-year ML career.
      If Kendall George produces half of that, he will have outperformed the vast majority of 1st round picks.
      We know that he runs like the wind. Obviously the Dodgers’ scouts, who have a pretty good track record, saw potential in George. If he hits and plays solid defense, he has a shot at good career–maybe with the Dodgers, maybe another team.

      In related news, the Angels surprisingly released former No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak–perhaps because Arte Moreno is so cheap. He had something of a breakthrough for the Angels in ’23, but struggled in ’24.
      I hope Moniak lands an ML job, but if not, perhaps the Dodgers could sign him for OKC. He’d sort of be an Outman clone: a lefty hitter with a good glove and a sketchy ML record. But maybe the Dodgers coaches can help him play up to his potential.

  3. I was really impressed just watching the Dreyer video above – great change of speeds and location.
    The 1st batter pitch sequence was high, then low, them outside then inside.

    Really hope it isn’t anything worse than a stomach flu, but that is a lot of weight for somebody that didn’t have it to lose in the first place.

  4. Ferris was impressive except for the one pitch to Ward. Nice to see Max get a hold of one and send it flying. Bullpen looked pretty good. Kept the Angels off of the board. Yates with a great 8th inning. Betts should go on the IL to begin the year. They can more than cover him for a while. Ryan Yarbrough signed a one-year deal with the Yankees. They also placed Luis Gil on the IL. Mitch Haniger released by the Mariners.

      1. That’s what I would do.

        Natural remedies are great. Here’s a good one:

        If you have chapped lips, put cow manure on them… it keeps you from licking your lips.

        I don’t charge for that advice. It comes free with LADT!

        1. I could never figure out why the hell I come to this site every day………………………….until today.

  5. I think the Dodger God doesn’t want Mookie to play shortstop. Last year he gets hit with a pitch and by the time he’s back it was obvious that the Dodgers were a better team with Betts in right field. Now he’s going to have a long recovery. Catching, centerfield and shortstop are the most demanding positions physically. When Betts gets well which we all hope is soon for not only baseball reasons but more important humanitarian reasons, it will take sometime before he gets his strength back. The more Mookie exerts himself the longer it will take for him to get to being 100%. The brain trust will not rush Mookie, he is to valuable in a multiple ways. Your health isn’t anything to miss with and like all of you I hope he has a speedy recovery.

    1. Agree. If ive said it once ive said it a bunch of times.

      Mookie (first off get well), will not be playing SS for us.

      And quite frankly we are a better team with him in RF.

      Leaving for LA tomorrow night!!!

  6. 9:07 PM ET

    Dodgers (98-64) (13-8) (2-0)
    Angels (63-99) (10-17) (0-0)

    SP Tyler Glasnow R
    0-0 .00 ERA
    SP Ryan Johnson R
    0-0 .00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    CF Tommy Edman S
    1B F. Freeman L
    RF T. Hernandez R
    3B Max Muncy L
    2B E. Hernandez R
    LF M. Conforto L
    SS Miguel Rojas R
    C A. Barnes R

    75° Wind 6 mph Out

  7. Praying that the Mookster gets well soon. Forget about baseball and keep the faith. We’re all hoping you make a swift recovery.
    Now as for opening day. Bring up Freeland and play him every day. Leave Miggy, Chris and Kike to fill in the gaps. I know it will be a shock to Alex but he has the make up to seamlessly slide right into the SS position. And dang Matt, you could be right. If Freeland shines and Pages takes a dump…..slide Mookie to 2nd and Tommy to CF. Have a great time in Chavez Ravine.
    Book em

  8. I can’t believe we are hearing the whole story. It seems to me that after 2 or 3 days of constant vomiting you SHOULD be in the hospital

  9. I mentioned my concerns about Mookie last week when he was in Japan. They needed to get him home and under a doctor’s care. Someone accused me of being a “Debbie Downer” here, but I was just being a realist.

    Mookie had no room to lose weight. His strengthens is sapped. He needs to get the right diagnosis and start the season with some muscle mass . Like around 180 lbs of body weight strength, much of that muscle.

    Starting the 162 game marathon at 157 lbs is simply not a good idea. Let him get right medically, then build up strength for 30 days. We can see where he’s at then. No need to rush. Gotta be thinking about October in April.

    Bote can make the opening day roster. He deserves it with his great spring.

  10. And just like that……Mookie is playing today. Doc said he’ll be in the lineup against the Tigers. We know so little,
    yet…..
    Book em

    1. Well, they don’t play the Tigers today. They play the Angels.

      Wednesday is an off day and then Opening Day is Thursday against the Tigers.

      I presume you are saying he will play Thursday.

      1. Doc said he’ll play today against the Angels and be in the lineup on opening day too.
        Book em

  11. Will see or not. As long as he is on the field to get his second ring with the Dodgers im happy.

    We need him in October not now. That said I hope he plays this week…..RF

  12. Betts was finally able to keep down some solid food. Decision on whether or not he plays will be made after today’s workout. Loved Dino being live on the field mic last night. He was very informative about how he goes about his business.

  13. The Dodgers are not very truthful when making public assessments of players injuries. I don’t believe anything they say. Betts could play tonight or a month from now.

  14. Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

    “Montgomery had seemed like a good bet to be traded eventually, but that’s not going to happen now. The surgery ends a nightmarish stint in Arizona, as Montgomery posted a 6.23 ERA last season after signing late and never getting on track. He will be a free agent this winter and likely miss at least the first couple months of the 2026 season”.

  15. Mookie needs to go on the IL, SEE A INTESTINAL DOC, gain the weight back get some swings and field work, then make his season debut. AAA has plenty of good subs. Besides, Mighty Mouse Rojas will save the day in the unselfish way he did last year. The coaches and players love him..we have a lot of rocks on this team, but Miggy is at the top of the pile Mookie us right there but he needs a good internal medicine SPECIALIST to fix him. And saying he will be back in the lineup in a few days is flat assed dangerous.

  16. 9:07 PM ET

    Dodgers (98-64) (2-0)
    Angels (63-99) ( 0-0)

    SP Dustin May R
    0-0 .00 ERA
    SP Jack Kochanowicz R
    0-0 .00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    SS Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    RF T. Hernandez R
    3B Max Muncy L
    C Will Smith R
    LF M. Conforto L
    2B Tommy Edman S
    CF Andy Pages R

    71° Wind 7 mph Out

    MOOKIE IS BACK!

  17. From the Dodger’s Official Page:

    LOS ANGELES — With the Tokyo Series now in the rearview, Shohei Ohtani is set to take another step in his ongoing right elbow rehab.

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Monday that Ohtani will be throwing a bullpen session on Saturday, his first since Feb. 25. The Dodgers previously slowed down the pitching side of his recovery to focus on his hitting during Spring Training. He has continued to play catch in the meantime.

    And while Roberts has hinted at May as a possible window for Ohtani’s return to game action on the mound, the manager said on Monday that he’ll have a better idea of a plan once Ohtani throws on Saturday. Roberts added that he’s approaching Ohtani’s rehab with the mindset of having him available late in the season, a time when the Dodgers’ pitching staff has been decimated in recent years.

  18. Per Ardaya:

    David Bote has exercised his upward mobility clause in his NRI deal with the Dodgers, as expected, per source.

    What this means is that he can see if he can get an MLB offers elsewhere before deciding if he wants to remain with the LAD.

      1. I’ll be surprised if someone doesn’t offer him an MLB contract, probably one of the teams that trains in Az and saw him play this spring.

  19. Lots of Monday morning doctors (quarterbacks)… Watch Mookie bat .500 in the three game series. And be just fine. I’m trusting what one of the greatest athletes on this earth feels like he can and can’t do. I’m hoping Pages defies some naysayers and turns into a solid hitting and reliable defensive CF.

  20. Owners complain about the Dodgers and their payroll,but Moreno had to be happy last night as the stadium was sold out for a Spring Training game. Nice 4-1 win in 2 hours and 3 minutes. May looked excetional. Mookie with three at bats with 2 groundouts and a popout to first base. Handled a couple of routinue plays at shortstop. Played 5 innings in the field.

    David Vassegh
    @THEREAL_DV
    Mookie Betts said he will be ready for Thursday. #Dodgers
    10:37 PM · Mar 25, 2025
    ·
    11.3K
    Views

  21. The Mookie Saga is just another example of how the media plays us like a fiddle. Blow it up, get clicks and rake in the advertising dollars. Add in the front office gamesmanship and you’re good to go.
    Anyway, the Boys in Blue finished the preseason on a high note. And everyone is healthy….they are healthy, right? Tomorrow begins the grind. And I am sufficiently satisfied.
    Remember………….
    ‘Believe not what you read, and half of what you see!’
    Book em

      1. Nice take Blutarski! Not.
        The stories about Mookie were written by the media not the fans. But one thing is certain. You are predictable.
        Book em

  22. Tiers of a Troll

    God: Ohtani
    Legend: Freeman/Betts
    All-Star Ceiling: Smith/Edman
    Veteran: Teo/Muncy/Conforto
    Youth: Pages

    Ace: Snell/Yamamoto
    All-Star: Glasnow
    Stud: Sasaki/May

  23. “Long-time Boston baseball writer Peter Abraham reported that off-field issues may have cost former New York Yankees outfielder Verdugo opportunities this winter. Verdugo’s ongoing issues with punctuality and professionalism significantly impacted his standing with clubs, including the Boston Red Sox.”

    1. I totally agree with that. Verdugo has had an attitude problem ever since he was signed.

  24. For what it’s worth, some information on Betts

    While doctors were unable to provide a definitive diagnosis for his prolonged stomach issues, speculation has arisen suggesting a norovirus infection.

    “Betts missed the Dodgers’ opening two games in Japan last week while battling a stomach virus, one that is believed to be a case of norovirus, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly,” reported Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times.

    1. The only problem with that theory is that Norwalk Virus usually runs it’s course in three days.

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