The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to manage the Tokyo Series against the Cubs without their star shortstop, Mookie Betts.
According to manager Dave Roberts, illness has sidelined the 8x All-Star, affecting his strength and conditioning. Roberts confirmed that Betts has lost around 15 pounds and is still recovering. However, it has prompted the team to reconsider their initial plans for him in Japan.
While Betts reportedly showed some signs of improvement during light workouts, his fatigue remained a concern for the team. But the Dodgers are playing it safe and prioritizing his long-term health over the excitement of opening the season abroad.
Though there’s not everything lost for the three-time World Series champ. Manager Dave Roberts shared the details on Betts’ current condition.
“The thing is when you lose a lot of weight when you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens a person up to soft-tissue injuries. We’re very mindful of that. So to take the next week, call it, to build him back up, his strength, do some baseball activities to get ready for the home opener,” Roberts said.
Mookie Betts will not play in the Tokyo Series due to an illness, per manager Dave Roberts. pic.twitter.com/8IcqCPuUcG
— MLB (@MLB) March 17, 2025
The Dodgers’ management’s decision to keep Betts out of both Tokyo series games is a cautious approach. He is dealing with the aftermath of his illness and is susceptible to soft-tissue injuries, and the single best thing for him is to rest and recover.
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Dodgers Fell Short Against the Hanshin Tigers In Warm-Up Game
The MLB fans were in for a shocker as the Dodgers faced off against the Tigers at the Tokyo Dome. It also marked a kick-off to the 2025 MLB season. With stars like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki now wearing Dodgers blue, it was a homecoming for the Japanese brigade.
However, the game quickly turned into a stunning reality check for Dodgers supporters as the Tigers handed them a 3-0 shutout. The standout performance came from the Tigers’ pitcher, Hiroto Saiki, who threw five scoreless innings, including a strikeout of Ohtani that added to the Dodgers’ frustration.
Teruaki Sato dinger puts Tigers up 3-0 over Dodgers #MLBTokyoSeries pic.twitter.com/pabMt1amWC
— Joshua Mellin (@JoshuaMellin) March 16, 2025
To make matters worse, Teruaki Sato crushed a three-run homer off two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. As the Dodgers struggled to find their offensive groove with just three hits, it did not take long for their fans that they were outplayed.
After all, a lineup featuring big names like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman was expected to dominate. Instead, they witnessed a sweep-off by what some have regarded as an underdog team. The Tigers’ victory felt like a blow to the Dodgers’ pride, and they got to taste the Japanese baseball madness at its best.
Also Read: Roki Sasaki Prepared For The Worst As He Faces Big League Pressure
