Mookie Betts may miss Dodgers' season-opening Tokyo Series due to illness
The Los Angeles Dodgers may begin their season-opening Tokyo Series versus the Chicago Cubs without shortstop Mookie Betts.
Betts, 32, began feeling flu-like symptoms during the final week of spring camp before the team left for Tokyo and continued to feel ill during the flight to Japan and workouts, according to manager Dave Roberts.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season]
"He’s been really sick, lost some weight, so we were trying to get him hydrated," Roberts told reporters, via the Orange County Register.
The Dodgers star did not play in Saturday's exhibition game versus the Yomiuri Giants, nor in Sunday's matchup with the Hanshin Tigers.
Mookie Betts gingerly walking off the field after working out pregame. He is sick and will sit out his second straight game before being reevaluated tomorrow to see if he can play Opening Day against the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/H2cSqIKWWv
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 16, 2025
Betts skipped Friday's workout but participated in pregame drills on Saturday before the Dodgers played an exhibition game versus the Yomiuri Giants. However, he quickly got tired during a light workout on Sunday.
"Really showed some fatigue, understandably so," Roberts said. "We'll see how he comes in tomorrow. He should be here for the workout. We'll try to do a little more tomorrow."
Here's what Dave Roberts had to say when asked about Mookie Betts' status for Opening Day. pic.twitter.com/faR4opzcKx
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) March 16, 2025
If Betts doesn't show improvement on Monday, Roberts said he won't play Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs.
"I just don't think our training staff would feel good about that," Roberts added. "We're really trying to be mindful of not just Opening Day," Roberts said. "We don't want to put him in position where he could get hurt."
Betts is planning to be the Dodgers' shortstop this season after beginning last year at the position before moving back to right field, where he's played most of his career. Despite the position switch, he still batted .289 with an .863 OPS, 19 home runs, 24 doubles, 75 RBI and 16 stolen bases. He was limited to 116 games due to a fractured left hand.
In Betts' absence, Miguel Rojas will likely play shortstop for the Dodgers with Tommy Edman, Enrique Hernández and Chris Taylor also providing options at the position.
-
Mookie Betts to sit for exhibitions in Japan, Dodgers will re-evaluate for Tokyo Series
Mookie Betts will be re-evaluated during the team's off-day on Monday, and is questionable to be in the lineup for the club's two regular-season-opening games at the Tokyo Dome.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Dodgers' Betts to miss Japan games with illness
Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers' two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.ESPN - 1d -
Dodgers' Betts dealing with illness in Japan, Roberts hopeful he'll be ready for opening day
Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers' two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. Roberts said he's still hopeful that the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Dodgers' Mookie Betts still struggling with illness, status for opening day in doubt
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is still struggling to recover from an illness, with manager Dave Roberts pessimistic that the eight-time All-Star will be ready for opening day against ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Betts struggling with illness, could miss opener
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is still struggling to recover from an illness, with manager Dave Roberts pessimistic that the eight-time All-Star will be ready for Opening Day in Japan.ESPN - 21m -
Dodgers fall to Hanshin Tigers in final tuneup before start of season
Behind a superb start from Hiroto Saiki, the Hanshin Tigers didn't give up a hit until the fifth inning and defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at the Tokyo Dome.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Shohei Ohtani electrifies Tokyo Dome crowd as Dodgers slugger crushes home run in exhibition game
The Dodgers will open the 2025 MLB regular season against the Cubs in a two-game Tokyo Series starting March 18CBS Sports - 1d -
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers win exhibition game in Tokyo
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers have Japan excited in the days leading up to their season opener next week.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Tokyo Series preview: Everything you need to know before the Dodgers and Cubs begin the 2025 MLB season in Japan
Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers will face the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome.Yahoo Sports - 22h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
2025 March Madness printable bracket for men's, women's NCAA Tournament
March is upon us, which means it's time to fill out our brackets. Here are printable brackets for the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Newcastle stun Liverpool in League Cup final to end 56-year trophy drought
Newcastle ended their 56-year trophy drought in stunning style as Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday.But despite failing to win their ...Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Magic snap Cavaliers' franchise-best 16-game win streak with 108-103 win
The Cavs were on a 16-game run, which marked the best win streak in franchise history.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Roman Dolidze after UFC Fight Night 254 win?
(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Marvin Vettori after UFC Fight Night 254 loss?) Roman Dolidze avenged a key loss in his career Saturday when he defeated Marvin Vettori in their UFC ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Quentin Grimes scores 28 as Sixers beat Mavs 130-125 in matchup of injury-depleted teams
Quentin Grimes scored 28 points in his first game against his former team and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 130-125 in a matchup of injury-depleted clubs Sunday. Jalen ...Yahoo Sports - 18m
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: Indiana, Xavier, Boise State must play the waiting game
With two final spots available, the fates of Indiana, Xavier and Boise State rest in the hands of the American and A-10 title games. Watch the men's bracket reveal starting at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.ESPN - 10m -
2025 March Madness printable bracket for men's, women's NCAA Tournament
March is upon us, which means it's time to fill out our brackets. Here are printable brackets for the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
2025 March Madness: Conference tournament scores, automatic bids, tickets punched to Big Dance, brackets
With Selection Sunday here, check out the the teams who have earned AQ bids to the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 13m -
Magic snap Cavaliers' franchise-best 16-game win streak with 108-103 win
The Cavs were on a 16-game run, which marked the best win streak in franchise history.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
The wait is over: Newcastle beat Liverpool to end 70-year domestic trophy drought
Newcastle United have won the Carabao Cup, their first major trophy in over half a century, beating Liverpool at the end of a woeful week for the Reds.ESPN - 15m