Cody Snavely
Tokyo— The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to begin a two-game Opening Day series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs at the famous Tokyo Dome beginning tomorrow, March 18th. However, one player that will not be in the lineup is all-star shortstop Mookie Betts.
According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the team has decided not to play Mookie Betts during the two-game series as the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player recovers from an illness.
Betts’ illness was confirmed over the weekend as the reason he had not appeared in the final two Cactus League games and the first two exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers.
Betts continued to practice with the team, getting more reps at shortstop before he began his second stint at the position, but showed some fatigue, prompting the Dodgers to discuss the next steps.
“Optimism for Opening Day, I think that we’re really trying to be mindful of not just Opening Day but not putting him in harm’s way,” stated Roberts during yesterday’s presser.
Betts’ illness has caused him to lose around ten pounds of weight, and while he has gained some of it back, which is a good sign, the three-time World Series champ has yet to appear in a game or take live at-bats.
The illness is so severe that the Dodgers are considering sending him back to Los Angeles early to recover and rejoin the team for domestic Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers on March 27th.
In Betts’ place the Dodgers will turn to veteran utility infielder Miguel Rojas who will once again answer the call for the Dodgers need at the shortstop position.
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