Dodgers’ Mookie Betts to Miss Tokyo Series vs. Cubs Due to Illness

While the Los Angeles Dodgers are thoroughly enjoying Tokyo ahead of its two-game series with the Chicago Cubs this week, one notable member of the team will not be available for the season-opening slate of contests.

Star INF/OF Mookie Betts will not play in either of the upcoming games. Reports indicate that Betts has been dealing with a illness that’s resulted in him losing 15 pounds. He’s worked out sparingly over the last few days, and those results have indicated the reality that Betts would be better served regaining strength, weight, and energy as opposed to playing in a limited capacity.

There’s even a possibility Betts is sent home early to Los Angeles to expedite his recovery ahead of the domestic home opener later this month.

According to the team, Betts came down with the flu right before the team’s trip to Tokyo. The combination of the illness paired with travel and accompanying dehydration has not been a recipe for quickly overcoming the stomach bug.

As one recalls, Betts is slated to be the team’s starting shortstop after playing mostly in right field last year. With Betts sidelined for these two games, veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas will take his place. This also makes sense from the standpoint Chicago will start two lefties (Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele) in the series.