Mookie Betts’ last season didn’t go as planned, as he got sick due to a stomach virus that caused him to lose around 18 pounds in just two weeks. Furthermore, his transition to full-time shortstop, combined with his illness, dropped his stats to .258 AVG, .732 OPS, .406 slugging percentage, and an on-base percentage of .326.
This year, however, will be different, according to the Los Angeles Dodgers star. Betts is confident in his MVP-caliber comeback. In an interview with Dodger Blue, he said:
“That’s what I expect. I expect. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. So the way I feel now, I’m healthy. Swing’s in a really good spot, head is in a really good spot. I haven’t had any bad days in the cage. I haven’t had any bad days. BP, usually by now I would have taken a thousand swings trying to fix stuff and trying to get game ready, and now I’m just cruising. I’m just cruising and ready to go.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he wanted Mookie Betts to go into spring training a bit late and take time to reflect and rewire his game better. Rather than trying to work on new techniques and adjust old ones, Betts is more focused on rewiring his swing.
“It’s really just going back to what I do best and really honing in,” Betts added. “Instead of just trying to fix problems, I was able to go back to what I do best and really groove those patterns instead of trying to fix old patterns.”
Betts further said he never had a down year like 2025, but “there’s a first for everything.” He is excited to get back into the game after learning from his past mistakes and slump.
Dave Roberts is Confident in Mookie Betts’ MVP Game
In 42 games in the regular season, Mookie Betts hit .305 last year. While his confidence dropped significantly, the shortstop was able to shake off his slump and help the team win the World Series.
Dave Roberts noted that it was the first time he had seen the 33-year-old struggle. However, Roberts was also impressed by how Betts compartmentalized his work and kept grinding.
He believes the veteran will make a strong comeback this season. Roberts has no doubts that Betts will be in the MVP conversation again in 2026.
“I have no doubt about it,” Dave Roberts said. “The way he played shortstop last year, and expecting him to be better offensively this year, he will be in the MVP conversation this year. But speaking for Mookie, his main goal is to help us win a championship. So whatever falls out from there, that will happen. So I just want him to focus on being healthy, helping us win. And then whatever happens outside of that will happen.”
In early August last season, Mookie Betts declared that his season was almost over. He admitted being upset for not carrying his own weight and for putting pressure on his teammates. Later, as he regained his form, he said he was satisfied with how he could help the team in the postseason.
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