Mookie Betts has not played since Opening Day because of the Flu

The flu – which I believe I had this past week – has robbed us of one of the game’s best talents during the first week of baseball. Mookie Betts played on Opening Day in a Red Sox victory and went 1 for 3 with a walk. Today he joined the Red Sox in Detroit but was still sidelined with the illness.

Mookie Betts rejoined the team Saturday ahead of its game against the Detroit Tigers, but he was out of the lineup for the third straight game after missing Wednesday’s and Friday’s contests with the flu. The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham told NESN’s Tom Caron and Steve Lyons before the game Saturday that manager John Farrell didn’t want Betts to start in case he’s not 100 percent, but the right fielder could be available off the bench.

Betts didn’t play. The Red Sox lost the game 4-1, as Joy of Sox explains. And it must be a helluva bug that is sweeping through the Red Sox clubhouse. Hanley Ramirez was out sick, the Red Sox just got Brock Holt back (he hit lead-off), but other members of the club are now showing symptoms.

Benintendi puked during the game but stayed in. … Bradley seems to be OK, Farrell said.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) April 8, 2017

I just want to see Mookie Betts, who could be the best player at baseball; play some baseball. Perhaps tomorrow is the day. After a nice 2-0 magical start to the year, the Red Sox are at half-strength and back to 2-2.