'Ready': Bates returns to the starting lineup to attend the opening game at the Dodgers' home stadium

After battling stomach problems for nearly three weeks, Muki Bates finally returned to the Dodgers starting lineup for the final spring training game at Angel Field on Tuesday (March 26). The star player has been absent from the warm-up game of spring training since March 9 due to illness.

Bates played five innings as a starting shortstop in the game and hit three without hits. He will also face hands-on pitching practice on Wednesday's rest day, but the Dodgers are confident he's ready for Thursday's home opener.

"He'll finish a full day of training, including gunkeeping practice, striking drills and so on," Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts said after the team's 4-1 win over the Angels, "but he'll definitely be in time for the home opener." "

While Bates' first two mats in two weeks were mediocre, his all-out sprint after hitting third base in the first mat was impressive. On the third hit, he hit a powerful mid-lane fly shot, but it was only a direct pick up by Angels second baseman Kevin Newman.

Defensively, Bates was even more impressive. In the bottom half of the second inning, he managed to handle a fly ball from Angels third baseman Louis Lengifo into the shallow left field. In the bottom half of the fifth inning, he easily completed a regular rolling ball assassin to block Newman at first base.

Previously, media reported that Bates's weight plummeted from the usual 175 pounds (about 79 kilograms) to 157 pounds (about 71 kilograms), raising concerns. However, Roberts revealed that as of Tuesday, Bates had begun to gain weight, and strength tests showed that his body was back to normal levels.

"His strength test results were positive," Roberts said, "and the dehydration problem has been resolved and he has been able to eat normally for the past few days." All signs are that things are getting better and we are happy with the performance tonight. "

Bates himself said that although it is unclear how long it will take to regain his original weight, he now feels stronger than he did before his illness. He admits this is the first time in his career that he has encountered such a situation.

"Aside from an upset stomach, I've been in good shape," Bates said, "and my training and daily activities are normal, but it was difficult to eat normally before." "

While still on a daily watch list, Bates believes the illness is a thing of the past and is fully prepared for Thursday's home opener for the Dodgers.

"Now that I'm able to play," he said, "the moment I step on the pitch, it's a sign I'm ready. "