Los Angeles superstar Mookie Betts returned to the lineup on Tuesday after fighting illness for more than two weeks.
The new Shortstop lost nearly 20 pounds and was unable to contain solid food.
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But Betts was finally able to play on Tuesday, and after the game he made it clear that he had all his intentions to play against the Detroit Tigers on the first day of the country on Thursday.
“I’m totally fine and completely normal,” Betts said after the game. “When you step into the dirt, you’re ready.”
Betts was tough for two weeks when he fought what the LA Times reported to be norovirus. He missed the last two Cactus League games, all four Japanese games (two exhibitions and two games against the Cubs), and the first two Highway Series games.
But Betts always returns to the field targeting the first day on Thursday, and after taking three at-bats on Tuesday, he is ready to play meaningful baseball.
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Miguel Rojas went down with a short stop and the team easily won both games, allowing the to manage without Bets in Japan. However, Betts has undoubtedly proven to be the most important player for the over the past six months, moving into one of the most important positions on the shortstop field.
Betts worked tirelessly this offseason and tirelessly to get his short stop play to a level where he said he did last year, “not ashamed” himself. While things become more difficult when he does this full-time transition at a low weight of nearly 20 pounds, the eighth All-Star looks confident in playing at the elite level of his home opener on Thursday.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Immagn Image
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