Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers faced disappointment on March 17 when manager Dave Roberts announced star infielder Mookie Betts would miss the opening series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and March 19 at Tokyo Dome due to health concerns. This news marks a significant setback for the Dodgers, whose hopes for the series relied heavily on Betts's participation.
Betts, 32, has been dealing with poor physical condition, which has kept him from playing since March 10. Having missed several preseason games—including outings against the San Francisco Giants and the Hanshin Tigers on March 15 and 16—Betts had attended team practices but was absent from the official training leading up to the series.
Roberts revealed the challenges Betts encountered prior to the series, explaining the decision-making process he undertook. He noted, “Mookie Betts has shown commitment and hope for his recovery, but we have to prioritize his health over our immediate competitive needs.” Despite being present at dinners hosted by fellow player Shohei Ohtani, Betts's physical well-being did not improve sufficiently to allow him to compete.
The source of Betts's concern appears to have been gastroenteritis-like symptoms, which resulted not only in discomfort but also substantial weight loss. Roberts waited until March 17 to evaluate Betts's condition before making his final decision, aiming to see if he could participate fully in practice before the series. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Roberts's comments after the practice reflect the team's overall concern for Betts's health. He stated, “While this opening series is unique and exciting, I don’t want to risk Mookie's health by pushing him to play.” With Roberts’ authority overseeing team evaluations, Betts's absence, undoubtedly, affects the Dodgers' lineup, particularly as they were anticipated to have one of the strongest offensive backups, featuring Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
Betts, regarded as one of baseball's elite talents with accolades including six Gold Glove Awards and the 2018 American League MVP title, has had a storied sports career. He has long been recognized for his prowess both at the plate—boasting over 271 career home runs—and defensively as well. Betts contributed significantly to the Dodgers’ previous World Series victory, hitting the game-winning sacrifice fly last season, which solidified their championship status with four wins and one loss.
Fans and experts alike are left questioning how the Dodgers will adapt to his absence as they prepare for the highly anticipated series against the Cubs. During pregame activities, the team's environment will be adjusted, with players and management strategizing ways to mitigate the loss of Betts.
Support for Betts has been evident. He participated actively in team unity-building activities, including the exclusive dinner organized by major players, where Ohtani and other key athletes came together, nurturing team camaraderie even through adversity. Ohtani himself has been vocally supportive, stating, “Let’s stop longing for what could have been and rally our strengths moving forward.”
Betts' timeline for recovery appears promising, as he is expected to be back for the Dodgers’ following match against the Detroit Tigers on March 27 after the series concludes.
For now, though, the Dodgers face the dual challenge of starting their season without one of their most pivotal players and adjusting strategies against the Cubs. Fans will be keeping close tabs on Betts’s healing process, hoping for his speedy return, both for his impact on the field and as part of the team’s core identity.
