Mookie Betts Sidelined for Tokyo Series: Dodgers' Star Battling Illness

TOKYO -- The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without their star shortstop Mookie Betts for the two-game Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. Betts has been battling an illness that has persisted for the past week, leading to his absence from the lineup.

Manager Dave Roberts shared on Monday that while Betts is starting to feel better, he has lost nearly 15 pounds and is still in the process of rehydrating and regaining his strength. Roberts also mentioned that the eight-time All-Star might return to the United States ahead of the team to rest and prepare for the domestic opener on March 27.

The Cubs and Dodgers are set to kick off the Major League Baseball season on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome, with a second game scheduled for Wednesday. Roberts confirmed, "He's not going to play in these two games. When you're dehydrated, that's what opens a person up to soft tissue injuries. We're very mindful of that."

Roberts announced that Miguel Rojas will start at shortstop in Betts' place for both games in Tokyo. Betts began experiencing flu-like symptoms at the team's spring training home in Arizona, just a day before the team departed for Japan. Despite making the long flight, Betts has not recovered as quickly as hoped.

Roberts added that if the team had known the illness would linger this long, Betts would not have traveled. Betts attempted a workout on Sunday but quickly became fatigued. This season, Betts is making a full-time transition to shortstop after spending most of his career in right field and at second base. The 2018 AL MVP hit .289 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs last season, playing a crucial role in the Dodgers' World Series victory.