Mookie Betts misses the Los Angeles Dodgers Tokyo series against the Chicago Cubs because of illness. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the decision Sunday night.
Roberts said Betts is beginning to feel better, but has lost nearly 15 pounds and is trying to get rehydration and gain power. Roberts added that eight All-Stars could return to the US before the team in preparation for the domestic opening game on March 27th.
The Cubs and Dodgers will hold their major league baseball season at Tokyo Dome on Tuesday. The second game is Wednesday.
“He’s not going to play in these two games,” Roberts said. “When you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens up people to soft tissue injuries. We take that very seriously.”
Roberts said Miguel Rojas will start with shortstop at Betts’ Place for two games at Tokyo Dome.
Betts went through a light workout on Sunday and was quickly exhausted. He began to suffer from flu-like symptoms in Arizona the day before his team left for Japan. He still had a long flight trip, but hasn’t recovered as quickly as he had hoped.
Betts has made a full-time transition to shortstop this season after playing most of his career on right field and second base this season. The 2018 AL MVP helped the Dodgers win the World Series with 19 home runs and a .289 with 75 RBI last season.
Report by the Associated Press.
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