Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts won’t be playing on Opening Day or in the upcoming Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. Manager Dave Roberts announced on Monday that Betts is dealing with an illness that has kept him off the field.
The Dodgers are considering sending Betts back to Los Angeles early so he can recover properly. Roberts said, “That’s on the table,” but the hope is that Betts will be ready for the home opener on March 27 against the Detroit Tigers.
Betts got sick right before the team flew to Tokyo. He missed the first two workouts at the Tokyo Dome but did try to participate in practice before the exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers. Unfortunately, he showed signs of fatigue and struggled to keep up, even kneeling down at one point during drills. He also skipped the voluntary workout on Monday.
The six-time Gold Glove winner has been working hard to transition back to shortstop, a position he’s trying to master again. But with his health uncertain, it could be a challenge. “He’s still trying to find his way,” Roberts shared, noting that Betts has lost around 15 pounds and was severely dehydrated. Fortunately, other players on the team are not showing any symptoms of the illness, so it’s not expected to be contagious.
“Losing weight and being dehydrated can lead to injuries,” Roberts explained. “We want to take the next week to get him back in shape and ready for the home opener.”
Last season, Betts faced difficulties when he was the surprise Opening Day starter at shortstop, having had only two weeks’ notice to prepare. After breaking his wrist mid-season from getting hit by a pitch, he returned to play in right field.
This winter, Betts focused on improving his skills at shortstop. He aimed to move from an inexperienced player to someone who can handle the position full-time. Meanwhile, to fill the gap during the Tokyo Series, veteran Miguel Rojas will take on the role of shortstop for the games against Cubs pitchers Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele.
As this situation unfolds, fans are eagerly discussing Betts’s recovery on social media, sharing their hopes for his swift return. Health remains a critical factor in sports, not only affecting performance but also team dynamics and strategies throughout the season.
For more insights on player conditions and sports health, you can read studies from sources like the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
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Source linkChicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB
