Who Will Replace Dodgers’ Mookie Betts in Tokyo Series Against Cubs?

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts will miss both games in the 2025 Tokyo Series, which starts on Tuesday. The reports say that Betts was dealing with a nasty flu-like illness before the team traveled to Japan, and things have only worsened.

Manager Dave Roberts explained that Betts has lost up to 15 pounds, and the team is debating sending Betts home so he can fully rest up before Opening Day So who will replace Betts in the Dodger’s order for the two-game set against the Chicago Cubs? Per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, veteran Miguel Rojas will start both series games at shortstop, with both Cubs starters being left-handers.

Dodgers' Mookie Betts still struggling with illness, status for opening day in doubt – KGET 17 News

Miguel Rojas will start both games at shortstop for the Dodgers in Tokyo. Cubs are starting two lefties – Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. https://t.co/ZJ3wFVlKON — Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 17, 2025 Many fans were looking forward to watching Betts at shortstop, but he is undergoing a positional change. Rojas is still a plus defender and competent shortstop, but the lineup takes a slight step back without Betts.

Considering the left-handed starters Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele, utilityman Tommy Edman will likely slot into Betts’ second spot in the order. The reports also say Betts’s illness is not contagious but has been bad enough to keep him away from baseball activities the past week.

Even though the teams are in the middle of spring training, both games against the Cubs will count toward each team’s regular season record. Rojas had a solid 2024 campaign before suffering an injury. He hit .283 in 307 at-bats and struck out just 34 times. The hope is that Betts will recover from this illness within the next 10 days and be ready for Opening Day against the Detroit Tiger

Chicago Cubs beat Yomiuri Giants 4-2 at Tokyo Dome

Team gatherings and cultural immersion: Dodgers hope Tokyo trip ‘galvanizes’ chemistry

TOKYO — It was the overriding theme of last October, an intangible factor that yielded triumphant results.

During their run to last year’s World Series, the Dodgers repeatedly cited their clubhouse culture and roster-wide camaraderie as a key behind their postseason success. They knew it sounded cliche. But they felt it was transformational.

Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman, Shohei Ohtani share a laugh as they are introduced before an exhibition game at the Tokyo Dome.

Thus, during this week’s season-opening trip to Japan, when their title defense will begin with a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome, the Dodgers have been intentional about forming similarly tight bonds again