betts-imagn-images.png
Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts' status for Opening Day remains uncertain as he continues to deal with the illness that caused him to miss the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, however, struck a more optimistic tone with respect to Betts' status as he told reporters that Betts was able to keep solid food down and go through a workout on Monday. Per Roberts, Betts is slated to play in Tuesday's exhibition against the Los Angeles Angels. If he fares well enough, then he should be able to play on Thursday for the traditional Opening Day contest against the Detroit Tigers. 

Betts, a late scratch from Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels, told reporters, including "Dodgers Talk," that he's switched medications recently, and that he feels better except for persisting stomach issues. Indeed, Betts said earlier on Monday that he'd been unable to keep down solid food and has instead subsisted off smoothies. Predictably, he's lost serious weight in the process: he's now checking in at 150 pounds after entering spring training weighing around 175 pounds.

"I don't think anybody really knows ... My body's just kind of eating itself, and so it's hard to not fuel it," Betts said. "Every time, literally, every time I fuel my body, I throw it up and I don't know what to do about it."

Betts, 32, was expected to enter the season serving as the Dodgers' starting shortstop. If he's unable to go -- either on Opening Day or for the onset of the season -- the Dodgers would ostensibly slot in veteran Miguel Rojas at the six, as they did in Tokyo. In five seasons with the Dodgers, Betts has hit .284/.372/.530 (145 OPS+) with 132 home runs and 62 stolen bases. His contributions have been worth 27.8 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference's calculations. 

The Dodgers will resume their regular-season schedule on Thursday, when they host reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and the Tigers. The Dodgers won both games of the Tokyo Series, staking them out to an early 2-0 record.