The Dodgers took a hit, but if you think they’re staying down, think again. In the face of a rocky start, one of their biggest stars has spoken—loud and clear. Mookie Betts isn’t here for excuses, pity, or second-guessing; he’s here to win. And after an unexpected setback, he’s making one thing certain: he’ll be back and be better. When the news broke out that Betts was ill and would be missing the Tokyo Series, fans were distraught. But with his recent Instagram post, Betts affirmed that he will be back.

On March 18, Mookie Betts put out an Instagram post with the caption “Y’all hold it down out there. I’ll be back doing my thing real soon!” This was the caption for a video that had some of the best moments that Betts has had in the Dodgers uniform. He says that the Dodgers will have to hold fort without him for just a few games, but he will be back stronger than before and doing what he does best: give the pitchers a nice beating and send balls into orbit.

The Dodgers will be missing his defensive skills at shortstop, where he was waiting to play all season. His offensive ability and his ability to get on base will also be greatly missed by the Dodgers, especially after the news came out that Freddie Freeman is out too. These two missing from the lineup will be a big punch to the Dodgers’ offense, as both of them have the ability to get runs on board even in the most difficult situation.

With Betts and Freeman sidelined, the Dodgers’ offense takes a hit—but this team isn’t built to fold. The challenge is real, but so is the firepower. And when Betts returns, expect him to remind pitchers—why leaving anything over the plate is a terrible, terrible idea.

Ex-Mariner Harold Reynolds shares his take on the situation with Mookie Betts

When Mookie Betts speaks, people listen. But this time, it wasn’t his bat doing the talking—it was his body waving the white flag. As the Dodgers navigated an early-season curveball, former Mariner Harold Reynolds weighed in on Betts’ situation, shedding light on just how rough things have been for the superstar. Spoiler alert: losing 15 pounds wasn’t part of the game plan.

Although he didn’t know, Harold Reynolds had an interview with Mookie Betts while he was injured. During the interview, Reynolds saw things that made him respect the star more than before: “At that time, I didn’t know he was as sick as he was. I’m like, oh, you’re getting ready for the game. He’s like, man, I lost 15 pounds. That’s a lot. And he hadn’t been out on the field in probably three or four days, and it was just the first time he was moving through it.”

Reynolds says that when he planned the interview he didn’t know that he was very sick, but Betts then revealed that he had lost 15 pounds and not taken the field in 3–4 days. Even then, he agreed to do the interview, showcasing his commitment to the game. Reynolds further noted that Betts wanted to make it to the opening day badly and was trying everything to improve his health but was not able to.

Mookie Betts isn’t just a superstar—he’s a warrior, even when sidelined. His dedication is unquestionable, but no amount of grit can outmuscle a virus. Now, as he focuses on recovery, one thing is certain: when he’s back, pitchers will be facing a man making up for lost time—one home run at a time.