The Los Angeles Dodgers shall be short-handed as they face the Chicago Cubs to start out the season.
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts introduced that utility man Mookie Betts is not going to play within the Tokyo Sequence as a result of an sickness. Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Instances reported that Betts has misplaced roughly 15 kilos, leaving the Dodgers involved that he could also be prone to harm. Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register reported that infielder Miguel Rojas will begin at quick for each video games as a substitute.
Betts had one other stellar season for the Dodgers in 2024. He posted a .289/.372/.491 batting line in his 516 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 24 doubles whereas stealing 16 bases. Betts was much more beneficial to the Dodgers as a result of his defensive versatility, seeing time at second, quick and proper subject final season.
Rojas had one in all his greatest seasons within the majors final yr. He posted a strong .283/.337/.410 batting line in his 337 plate appearances, hitting six homers and 21 doubles whereas stealing eight bases. The utility man noticed most of his motion at quick, but additionally hung out at second and third.
Fortuitously for the Dodgers, Betts is anticipated to be prepared for Opening Day on March 27. Plunkett additionally reported that the Dodgers are contemplating sending Betts again from Japan early to make sure that he’s prepared for the home opener. The Dodgers have the depth to have the ability to deal with Betts’ temporary absence, with utility man Tommy Edman able to dealing with second whereas different utility gamers — Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor — can slot into the combination as wanted.