Mookie Betts is facing a challenging start to the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The All-Star will miss the Opening Day clash against the Chicago Cubs in Japan due to a mysterious illness that has kept him sidelined since the Cactus League. It’s more than just a minor bug—Betts has reportedly shed 15 pounds, leaving fans and the Dodgers organization scratching their heads about the root cause of his condition.

Mookie’s absence in Tokyo was a significant blow to the team, and fans have taken to social media to express their worries. One can’t help but empathize with their alarm.

A weight loss of 15 pounds in such a short span is jarring. The fans’ reactions encapsulate the shared concern, with comments ranging from disbelief over his condition to nine and ten on the worry scale.

Some fans speculate it could be something as serious as Valley Fever, while others hope for a less concerning diagnosis, like Norovirus.

The situation gets only more puzzling as team doctors struggle to pin down a definitive diagnosis, escalating the anxiety level among the fan base. Questions linger about whether it’s a flu bug, COVID, or perhaps something entirely different. Such uncertainty is troubling, especially when you’re dealing with an athlete of Betts’ caliber.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been upfront about Betts’s current state, indicating evident fatigue during a recent round of testing. It’s not just a matter of getting Betts on the field; it’s about his well-being.

Roberts and the team are understandably cautious, keeping Betts out of play as long as necessary. His eventual return might align with the Dodgers’ Opening Day at Dodger Stadium against the Detroit Tigers, but only time will tell as his health progresses.

As the Dodgers navigate these murky waters without their star player, fans remain hopeful that Betts can bounce back soon. Meanwhile, the team continues to rally around him, focusing on getting him back to full strength with careful support and treatment.