Dodgers celebrity Mookie Betts was held out of the membership’s exhibition video games towards NPB’s Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, and supervisor Dave Roberts defined to reporters (together with David Brandt of the Related Press) that Betts was affected by an sickness. The 32-year-old was affected by flu-like signs previous to the membership’s journey to Japan, however Roberts famous that he’s been “actually sick” because the membership arrived in Tokyo and has began shedding weight. In consequence, Roberts expressed pessimism to reporters (together with Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register) Sunday that Betts can be out there for the Tokyo Collection towards the Cubs later this week.
“I believe that we’re actually making an attempt to be aware of not simply Opening Day however not placing him in hurt’s approach,” Roberts mentioned, in keeping with Plunkett. “He hasn’t taken stay at-bats or performed in any video games and to not put him able the place he doubtlessly might get harm.”
Whereas Betts hasn’t been utterly dominated out for the sequence, Roberts mentioned Betts would wish to come back into the membership’s subsequent exercise feeling robust and keep away from the type of fatigue he confirmed throughout Sunday’s follow. Fortuitously, there’s been no indication so far that Betts is more likely to miss regular-season video games as soon as the membership returns stateside, the place the Dodgers are slated to play their residence opener towards the Tigers on March 27.
Shedding a participant of Betts’s caliber for any period of time is a major blow. The eight-time All-Star is among the many most proficient gamers within the sport and has slashed a superb .284/.372/.530 (147 wRC+) since being traded to L.A. again in 2020. After taking part in proper subject almost solely throughout his days with the Pink Sox, Betts has seen more and more frequent time on the infield grime over his years with the Dodgers and enters the 2025 season because the membership’s beginning shortstop after splitting time between proper subject, shortstop and second base in recent times.
The lack of Betts for the Tokyo Collection is more likely to trigger a extra important shuffle within the membership’s lineup card for these two video games than the common damage would. The Dodgers’ 31-man journey roster is comparatively mild on full-time infielders, notably after Hyeseong Kim was optioned to the minors final week forward of the membership’s journey to Japan. If Betts winds up lacking these video games, Tommy Edman figures to slip from middle subject again onto the infield to pair with Miguel Rojas up the center.
That will open middle subject up for teen Andy Pages, who posted a stable rookie season for the Dodgers final 12 months however was squeezed out of the lineup by the membership’s signing of Michael Conforto this winter. Utility males Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor might additionally think about both at second base or in middle subject in some capability throughout the sequence, with Hernandez particularly a possible candidate to see time. The Cubs are slated to begin left-handers Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele throughout the Tokyo Collection, and Hernandez has excelled towards southpaws all through his profession.
