Dodgers' Mookie betts to Miss Japan series against Cubs due to illness
Alona Yadav | Mar 17, 2025, 22:48 IST
( Image credit : AP )
The Los Angeles Dodgers will start the 2025 MLB season in Japan without Mookie Betts, who is recovering from an illness that caused significant weight loss. Betts will miss the two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, with Miguel Rojas likely filling in at shortstop.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will open the 2025 MLB season in Japan without one of their star players. Shortstop Mookie Betts will not participate in the two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo due to an illness that has caused him to lose 15 pounds.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters on Monday that despite showing improvement, Betts is still working to regain his strength after battling the illness for the past week.
"He's not going to play in these two games," Roberts stated. "When you're dehydrated, that's what opens a person up to soft tissue injuries. We're very mindful of that."
The eight-time All-Star is expected to return to the United States ahead of his teammates to focus on recovery before the Dodgers' stateside opener on March 27.
Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas will likely take Betts' place at shortstop for the games against the Cubs, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Tokyo.
Betts, 32, is entering his sixth season with the Dodgers. He played a crucial role in the team's World Series championship last season, hitting .289 with 19 home runs and 75 RBI in 116 games.
The Dodgers-Cubs series marks the beginning of the 2025 MLB regular season, with the rest of the league starting play later this month.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters on Monday that despite showing improvement, Betts is still working to regain his strength after battling the illness for the past week.
"He's not going to play in these two games," Roberts stated. "When you're dehydrated, that's what opens a person up to soft tissue injuries. We're very mindful of that."
The eight-time All-Star is expected to return to the United States ahead of his teammates to focus on recovery before the Dodgers' stateside opener on March 27.
Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas will likely take Betts' place at shortstop for the games against the Cubs, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Tokyo.
Betts, 32, is entering his sixth season with the Dodgers. He played a crucial role in the team's World Series championship last season, hitting .289 with 19 home runs and 75 RBI in 116 games.
The Dodgers-Cubs series marks the beginning of the 2025 MLB regular season, with the rest of the league starting play later this month.