The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the Tokyo Series against the Cubs with a lot of fanfare—new country, new season, big expectations. But there’s a glaring absence in the lineup: Mookie Betts, the eight-time All-Star and heartbeat of this team, won’t be suiting up. After a 3-0 loss to the Tigers in the series, manager Dave Roberts shed some light on what’s keeping their star shortstop sidelined, and it’s not your typical spring tweak. Betts has been battling an illness that’s knocked him down a peg—15 pounds lighter, to be exact—and the Dodgers are playing it cautious in Japan.
Let’s unpack this. Betts isn’t just a guy who fills a roster spot; he’s a three-time World Series champ who shifts the whole dynamic of this Dodgers squad. When he’s on the field, he’s a nightmare for pitchers—quick hands, sharp eyes, and a knack for turning a game on its head. Off it, though, the team feels the void. Roberts didn’t sugarcoat it: the illness hit Betts hard, sapping his strength and leaving him dehydrated. The weight loss isn’t just a number—it’s a red flag for a guy whose game relies on explosive movement and durability.
You could see the concern in how Roberts broke it down. “The thing is when you lose a lot of weight when you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens a person up to soft-tissue injuries,” he said. “We’re very mindful of that.” Translation? The Dodgers aren’t about to roll the dice on their superstar in a showcase series overseas. They’ve got their sights set beyond Tokyo—think home opener, think October baseball. So instead of pushing Betts through light workouts where he’s shown some progress but still looks gassed, they’re hitting the pause button. The plan’s simple: take the next week or so to rebuild his strength, ease him into baseball drills, and get him primed for the real grind back in LA.
It’s a smart move, even if it stings for fans who wanted to see Betts light up the international stage. The guy’s been a warrior for this team, and seeing him sidelined isn’t ideal. But this is where the Dodgers’ depth comes into play. They’re not a one-man show—guys like Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy can carry the load, and the pitching staff’s still got enough juice to keep games tight. That 3-0 loss to the Tigers? It’s a hiccup, not a collapse. Still, you can’t help but wonder how Betts’ glove at short or his bat in the lineup might’ve flipped the script.
For now, the focus is on getting him right. Roberts sounded optimistic, in that measured way managers do when they’re juggling today’s lineup with tomorrow’s goals. Betts is on the mend—those light workouts are a good sign—but fatigue’s a tricky beast. The Dodgers know they don’t just need him back; they need him Mookie Betts back. The version who can turn a double play, swipe a bag, or launch one into the seats without breaking a sweat. That takes time, and they’re willing to give it.
So, yeah, the Tokyo Series feels a little dimmer without No. 50 out there. Cubs fans might be grinning, and the Tigers already got a taste of a Betts-less Dodgers squad. But this isn’t a panic moment—it’s a chess move. The Dodgers are banking on a healthy Betts being the difference-maker when the stakes get higher. If that means skipping the Japan spotlight to make sure he’s ready for the home opener and beyond, so be it. This team’s been around the block enough to know: you don’t win rings in March, but you can lose your shot at them if you’re not careful. Betts will be back, and when he is, good luck to whoever’s standing in his way.
