Dodgers’ Betts dealing with illness in Japan, Roberts hopeful he’ll be ready for opening day

Dodgers’ Betts dealing with illness in Japan Roberts hopeful he’ll be ready for opening day

Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.

Roberts said he’s still hopeful that the eight-time All-Star will be available for the team’s first regular season game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers are playing the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers — two teams from Japan — in exhibition games on Saturday and Sunday.

Roberts said the 32-year-old Betts started to feel flu-like symptoms during the team’s final day in Arizona, but team doctors said he was OK to make the long trip to Japan.

“Mookie is here today, but he’s been really sick,” Roberts said. “Lost some weight, so we’re trying to get him hydrated. He’s going to work out a little today, but he won’t be playing either tonight or tomorrow.

“Then when we have our off day, our workout day, we’ll see how he is.”

Dodgers' Mookie Betts dealing with illness in Japan, – NBC Los Angeles

Betts is making the full-time transition to shortstop this season after playing most of his career in right field and second base. The 2018 AL MVP hit .289 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs last season, helping the Dodgers win the World Series.

Bucks withstand Doncic’s 45-point effort and end 3-game skid with 126-106 victory over Lakers

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game skid with a 126-106 victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

The Bucks withstood a 45-point, 11-rebound performance from Luka Doncic, who had 29 points by halftime. His 45 points matched a season high and were his most since joining the Lakers.

Austin Reaves added 28 points for the Lakers, who lost their third straight.

One year after interpreter's scandal, Shohei Ohtani enters the Tokyo Series with newfound maturity - Coast Reporter

Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez scored 23 points, while Damian Lillard and Kevin Porter Jr. each had 22. Lillard also had 10 assists and six rebounds.

Los Angeles’ LeBron James missed a second straight game due to a left groin strain. The Lakers also were missing Jaxson Hayes (right knee bruise) and Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy).

SportsBucks withstand Doncic’s 45-point effort and end 3-game skid with 126-106 victory over Lakers

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game skid with a 126-106 victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

The Bucks withstood a 45-point, 11-rebound performance from Luka Doncic, who had 29 points by halftime. His 45 points matched a season high and were his most since joining the Lakers.

Austin Reaves added 28 points for the Lakers, who lost their third straight.

Dave Roberts Declares Dodgers' Opening Day Starter vs. Cubs in Tokyo

Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez scored 23 points, while Damian Lillard and Kevin Porter Jr. each had 22. Lillard also had 10 assists and six rebounds.

Los Angeles’ LeBron James missed a second straight game due to a left groin strain. The Lakers also were missing Jaxson Hayes (right knee bruise) and Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy).0

Takeaways

Lakers: Injuries left the Lakers at a distinct height advantage, causing them to give 7-footers Alex Len and Christian Koloko and 6-foot-9 veteran Markieff Morris more playing time than usual. They combined to score eight points in 46 minutes.

Bucks: Milwaukee bounced back two nights after one of its toughest losses of the season, a 115-114 defeat at Indiana that was decided by Tyrese Haliburton’s four-point play with 3.4 seconds left.

Key moment

The Lakers trailed virtually the whole way but stayed close until Antetokounmpo scored 10 points during a 24-7 run that extended Milwaukee’s lead from 76-70 to 100-77 late in the third quarter.