Dodgers’ Mookie Betts May Miss Tokyo Series vs Cubs

Los Angeles Dodgers famous person Mookie Betts is susceptible to lacking the crew’s opening sequence in Tokyo, Japan towards the Chicago Cubs.

Betts has been coping with an sickness this week and was compelled to overlook the Dodgers’ final two Cactus League video games earlier than they left for Japan.

Extra information: MLB Veteran, Former First-Spherical Choose All of a sudden Retires at 28

Whereas Betts traveled to Japan with the crew for the Tokyo Collection, he is nonetheless beneath the climate and has “lost some weight,” in keeping with supervisor Dave Roberts.

Now, Betts has only a few days to get again to full energy forward of the crew’s March 18 opener towards the Cubs, and Roberts instructed reporters Saturday that he is very a lot a query mark for Opening Day.

Betts goes to undergo a exercise, after which the crew will reevaluate him on Monday’s off day forward of Tuesday’s first recreation. Betts is not going to play in both of the 2 exhibition matches the Dodgers are taking part in in Japan.

Betts, 32, is the Dodgers’ No. 2 hitter and beginning shortstop.

The six-time Gold Glove award winner in proper discipline is making the complete time transition to shortstop this yr, regardless of being one of many video games finest defensive outfielders.

Extra information: Dodgers All-Star Heading to Injured Checklist Whereas $12.5 Million Addition Will Begin Season in Triple-A

Betts knew the transfer to shortstop would assist the Dodgers construct a greater crew, and after struggling to make the transition on brief discover final yr, he is got down to show folks mistaken this yr.

“This is not like a vengeance tour,” Betts mentioned to USA TODAY Sports earlier this spring. “It’s about proving a lot of people wrong. But more than anything, it’s about proving myself right.”

Nevertheless, proving folks mistaken wasn’t the principle issue within the determination.

“You hear noise, you see noise, you get people asking you why you’re doing this and all this other stuff,” Betts mentioned this spring. “I’m not oblivious to it. That’s not the driving force. The driving force is to win. I feel like this is something that we talked about that would help us win. I’m just doing that.”

As Betts completes the transition to shortstop — the toughest place on the sphere outdoors of catcher — his well being is very essential.

Thus, if he is not 100% or near it, it is arduous to think about him suiting up for both of the video games.

If Betts is not capable of play, the Dodgers have loads of contingency plans.

Miguel Rojas can exchange Betts at shortstop and within the lineup. Furthermore, Tommy Edman can slide over from second base to shortstop, and somebody like Kiké Hernández can take over at second to get his bat within the lineup.

Extra information: Yankees ‘Favorites’ to Land 56-Homer Japanese Slugger Coming to MLB Over Dodgers, Others

For extra MLB information, head over to Newsweek Sports activities.