Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Mookie Betts is not going to play in the Tokyo Series due to his battle with a lingering illness.
Betts has not played in a game since March 9 because of falling under the weather. He was expected to be in the Dodgers’ lineup for their final Cactus League game but didn’t play due to the illness that has caused dehydration and Betts to lose 15 pounds.
Betts nevertheless was included on the Dodgers’ travel roster for Japan amid the team receiving medical clearance.
“The doctors felt it was safe enough for him to make the trip,” Roberts said.
Betts missed the Dodgers’ first workout at the Tokyo Dome but took ground balls prior to their exhibition games. Although that was some progress, the 32-year-old showed signs of fatigue during his work before the Dodgers played the Hanshin Tigers.
At one point Betts dropped to a knee between rounds of fielding grounders.
Following the Dodgers’ loss to the Tigers, Roberts began to indicate it was possible — if not likely — Betts would be out Opening Day and miss the Tokyo Series.
“When you lose a lot of weight, when you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens a person up to soft-tissue injuries,” Roberts said during the Dodgers’ workout on Monday in Tokyo. “We’re very mindful of that.”
He added the team is considering having Betts return to the United States early to continue recovering and potentially accelerate the process.
When will Mookie Betts play?
With the Tokyo Series off the table, the next target to get Betts back in the Dodgers lineup is the Dodger Stadium opener on Thursday, March 27.
But even as domestic Opening Day looms just over a week away, the Dodgers certainly will not rush Betts and prioritize the bigger picture of the season as they look to repeat as World Series champions.
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