- Mookie Betts loses 15 pounds due to illness, misses season opener in Tokyo
- Dodgers’ shortstop transition plan disrupted ahead of domestic opener
- Miguel Rojas fills in as team faces Cubs in MLB Japan series
- Health risks of international travel spotlighted for professional athletes
The Los Angeles Dodgers face an early-season setback as All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts returns stateside to recover from a significant illness. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the 2018 AL MVP lost approximately 15 pounds following an unspecified condition that developed before the team’s Tokyo Dome appearances. Betts participated in limited workouts but showed visible fatigue, prompting medical staff to prioritize his recovery for the March 27 domestic opener.
Miguel Rojas steps into Betts’ defensive role during the two-game series against the Chicago Cubs, testing the Dodgers’ infield depth. The Japan games mark MLB’s fourth international opening series since 2019, events known to challenge players’ circadian rhythms and immune systems. In 2023, Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán missed London Series games due to viral gastritis, highlighting recurring health risks in global MLB expansions.
Betts’ transition from outfield to primary shortstop adds complexity to his recovery. The seven-time Gold Glove winner spent winter training refining infield mechanics, a process now delayed. His athleticism translates anywhere,said Roberts, but muscle memory rebuilds slower after weight loss.Team nutritionists are designing a high-calorie regimen to restore Betts’ strength without overtaxing his system.
The Dodgers’ $1.2 billion offseason investments, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s debut in Tokyo, face early scrutiny. Betts’ .289 average and 19 HRs in 2023 anchored last year’s World Series run, making his absence pivotal. Sports medicine expert Dr. Alicia Tran notes: International travel disrupts sleep patterns, lowering immunity. Clubs now partner with chronobiologists – Japan-bound teams averaged 37% higher IL stints post-trip in 2023.
With the Seoul Series scheduled for 2025, MLB may reevaluate health protocols. For now, the Dodgers focus on minimizing damage abroad before their home opener. This isn’t about two games,Roberts stated. It’s about ensuring Mookie dominates for 162.