by Megan Garcia
Mookie Betts wants to play. His body feels great, although his stomach contradicts that sentiment.
Betts was scheduled to start at shortstop against the Angels on Sunday in the first game of the freeway exhibition series. He was scratched before the game started at Dodger Stadium after not being able to hold solid food down.
The eight-time All-Star has been battling a stomach issue since the second week of March. It prevented Betts from playing in the Tokyo Series, including the Dodgers’ first two regular season games on March 18 and 19.
“The plane ride was brutal,” Betts said. “That was one of the worst plane rides I ever had. (I) got there and got one workout in. That was a really bad trip.”
Betts hasn’t been able to hold down food since the trip to Tokyo, leading to a 15-pound loss. Doctors haven’t diagnosed the 32-year-old, but his vitals are good, and other exams have returned clean, he said.
Betts expressed his frustration during this period leading up to the home opener on Thursday. He’s been able to do everything except eat, to fuel his body for games.
He weighs the difficult decision to push himself to be in the Opening Day starting lineup or potentially sit it out.
“So, 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 I just want to play, man. I’m tired of sitting, tired of just throwing up, tired of doing all this. I just really just want to play.”
Betts will not play in Monday’s exhibition game at Angel Stadium. He will participate in a workout at Dodger Stadium to determine his next steps.
Ferris holds his own against Major League talent
Jackson Ferris, the №4 prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system, looked confident on the mound. The first nine batters he faced on Sunday could probably say the same about him.
He allowed only one baserunner through the Angels’ first turn in their order.
The left-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up two hits, one earned run, walked two and struck out four against the Angels on Sunday. He landed 35 strikes in the 62 pitches he threw. He allowed a solo home run to left fielder Taylor Ward in the third inning.
“I thought Jackson really (carried) himself as a seasoned veteran,” said manager Dave Roberts.
Ferris’ breaking ball arsenal was a strike-getter. He threw 24 sliders and curveballs — 19 for strikes. His fastball averaged 94.1 mph.
“I thought the fastball was really good tonight. I thought the curveball he used really well. I thought (catcher) Will (Smith) did a really good job with him,” Roberts said. “Seeing a very formidable lineup, he didn’t run from it.”
With Ferris’ efforts on the mound and the bullpen shutting the Angels out the rest of the game, the Dodgers beat the Angels 7–1.
Mookie Betts’ illness continues to be a point of frustration for him was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.