Introduction to the Dodgers’ Tokyo Games
TOKYO — The Dodgers will open the 2025 regular season without Mookie Betts.
Betts has been suffering with an unspecified virus for the past week and lost “close to 15 pounds” as a result. Though he has started to feel better in the past few days and did work out briefly before the Dodgers’ exhibition game on Sunday (Saturday night PT), he did not come to the Tokyo Dome for an optional workout on Monday and was ruled out of the two games against the Chicago Cubs by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Mookie Betts’ Status
“He’s still trying to find his way. He’s not going to play in these two games,” Roberts said Monday.
“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. We’re very mindful of that. So to take the next week, call it, to build him back up, his strength, do some baseball activities to get ready for the home opener.”
Upcoming Games and Schedule
The Dodgers will return to Los Angeles after the game on Wednesday and play the three-game Freeway Series against the Angels March 23-25. They resume regular-season play with the home opener on March 27. Betts is expected to be available to play then.
Betts’ illness started during the Dodgers’ last few days in Arizona and Roberts acknowledged they would not have had Betts travel to Tokyo if they had known how long the virus would linger. It’s possible Betts will now travel back to Los Angeles ahead of the team.
Travel Plans for Mookie Betts
“We’re contemplating that because there is a thought to potentially get him back home, get him in his normal environment, sleep schedule,” Roberts said. “I think the question is what’s best to get him ready for (domestic) Opening Day (on March 27). We’re still talking. That’s on the table (sending him home early).”
Roberts said there is still “debate” among the team’s medical staff about what caused Betts’ illness. It doesn’t appear to be contagious. None of Betts’ teammates have gotten ill.
Team Updates
Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas will start at shortstop in the first two games against the Cubs.
SHO Dinner
The Dodgers were treated to the ultimate Sho dinner Sunday night.
The team’s three Japanese stars – Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki – hosted a team dinner on Sunday night with Ohtani taking the lead role in making the arrangements, according to Yamamoto.
“Every guy that I talked to said it was the best experience they ever had,” Roberts said. “In baseball player terms, we call it ‘show dinners’ (when one player makes all the arrangements) and they said it was the best show dinner they ever had.”
Details of the SHO Dinner
The menu was prepared by multiple chefs and included a 400-pound tuna, crab, yakitori (grilled chicken) and uni (sea urchin sushi).
“Awesome. So cool. I’ve never done anything like that before,” Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia said of the dinner.
“It was like the No. 1 – I don’t want to butcher it, but – fish-cutting guy. I don’t know if that’s the right term (maguro), I’m sorry. He cut it, and it was amazing. … I’ve never seen anything up close like that, that big of a fish. It was definitely a lot of fun. It was amazing to eat. It was super fresh. The fish was caught two or three days ago, and it was never frozen.”
Team Bonding Experience
Vesia said he only ate the tuna but teammate Freddie Freeman was caught on video (posted by Ohtani to Instagram) being goaded into trying the sea urchin and pronouncing it, “Not bad.”
The dinner was a chance for Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki to show off their culture to their teammates, Roberts said, and also speaks to Ohtani’s willingness to step forward more as a team leader this year.
“I just think that it’s their sense of nationalism and pride in their country that they wanted to put their best foot forward to welcome their teammates to Japanese cuisine and show hospitality,” Roberts said. “I think that’s what speaks more for me. But yeah, would he have done this last year if we were here in Tokyo? Probably not.”
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ trip to Tokyo has been an eventful one, with Mookie Betts’ illness being a significant concern. However, the team has come together to support each other, and the SHO dinner hosted by Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki was a great example of team bonding. The Dodgers will look to bounce back from Betts’ absence and make the most of their time in Tokyo.
FAQs
Q: Why is Mookie Betts not playing in the Tokyo games?
A: Mookie Betts is not playing in the Tokyo games due to an unspecified virus that has caused him to lose close to 15 pounds.
Q: When is Mookie Betts expected to return to play?
A: Mookie Betts is expected to be available to play for the home opener on March 27.
Q: What was the menu at the SHO dinner?
A: The menu at the SHO dinner included a 400-pound tuna, crab, yakitori (grilled chicken), and uni (sea urchin sushi).
Q: Who hosted the SHO dinner?
A: The SHO dinner was hosted by Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.
Originally Published: March 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM PDT
