03/18/25 10:30:00
Printable Page
03/18 04:14 CDT Dodgers star Mookie Betts returns to US to recuperate from
illness, will miss 2 games in Japan
Dodgers star Mookie Betts returns to US to recuperate from illness, will miss 2
games in Japan
By DAVID BRANDT
AP Baseball Writer
TOKYO (AP) --- Shortstop Mookie Betts has returned to Los Angeles to continue
recovering from an illness that will cause him to miss the Dodgers' first two
games of the regular season at the Tokyo Dome.
Manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that the eight-time All-Star wouldn't play
against the Chicago Cubs because of an unspecified illness that's caused him to
lose nearly 15 pounds. The 2018 AL Most Valuable Player is feeling better, but
Roberts said Betts needed to return home and recuperate ahead of the team's
domestic opener on March 27.
"Mookie flew home early evening, late afternoon yesterday and arrived safely,"
Roberts said. "It just made the most sense for him to get back to a regular
routine. That's kind of where we're at and we all support it."
The Cubs and Dodgers open the Major League Baseball season on Tuesday at the
Tokyo Dome. A second game is on Wednesday.
Miguel Rojas is in the starting lineup at shortstop for Tuesday's game.
Betts started to feel sick the day before the team left for Japan but the
shortstop still made the trip. He went through a workout on Sunday but quickly
became tired.
Betts is making the full-time transition to shortstop this season after playing
most of his career in right field and second base. The 2018 AL MVP hit .289
with 19 homers and 75 RBIs last season, helping the Dodgers win the World
Series.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
|
