Mookie Betts Won’t Play for Dodgers in Tokyo Series, May Leave Japan Early
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts will not play in the Tokyo Series, manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday in Japan (Sunday night in Los Angeles).
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Betts has been dealing with an illness, and unfortunately won’t be healthy enough to suit up.
The Dodgers are contemplating sending him home early.
Betts has been dealing with the illness for the past week, and has lost close to 15 pounds, per Roberts. He didn’t suit up in either of the two exhibition games over the weekend, and the hope was he would take part in Monday’s workout and then be reevaluated.
Unfortunately, Betts didn’t participate in the workout, and now has officially been ruled out for both games against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Roberts said the Dodgers were worried he would be more susceptible to soft tissue injuries since he’s so weak, especially as he transitions to shortstop.
“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,” Roberts said. “We’re very mindful of that. So to take the next week … to build him back up, his strength, do some baseball activities to get ready for the home opener.”
Who Will Replace Mookie Betts for Dodgers in Tokyo Series?
Roberts said that Miguel Rojas will replace Betts at shortstop and in the lineup for L.A. The Cubs have two left-handers on the mound in the Tokyo Series — Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele — so Rojas will get two opportunities as the shortstop and in the back of the lineup.
Betts will now have 11 days to fully recover ahead of domestic Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers on March 27.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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