Mammoth Blow: Dodgers’ Mookie Betts dealing with illness in Japan, as Dave Roberts gave concerning update on his availability for opening day….

TOKYO (AP) — 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.

In a concerning turn of events, Los Angeles Dodgers’ star Mookie Betts is reportedly battling an illness while the team is in Japan for their historic two-game series against the Chicago Cubs. The news was confirmed by Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts, who gave a troubling update on Betts’ condition, leaving fans anxiously awaiting clarity on his availability for Opening Day.

During a press conference ahead of  March 18 and 19 games, Roberts revealed that Betts, who had been feeling unwell for a few days, was still under the weather. “Mookie has been dealing with something. It’s nothing too serious, but we’re monitoring it closely,” Roberts said. “We’re hopeful he’ll be ready to go, but we’re not going to rush it. His health is the priority.”

Betts, one of the best players in baseball, had been looking forward to the Japan series, as it marked the first time the Dodgers had played in the country since 2019. His potential absence, however, could cast a shadow over the team’s season opener. The Dodgers open their 2025 campaign against the Chicago Cubs on March 19, and while Betts is expected to recover, Roberts acknowledged the possibility of needing to adjust his lineup if the outfielder is not at full strength.

“Opening Day is still a couple of days away, but we’re going to be cautious,” Roberts continued. “Mookie is a tough guy, and he’ll do everything in his power to get back to 100%. We’re hopeful this is just a small setback and won’t affect him long-term.”

Fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Betts’ progress in the coming days. The Dodgers’ hopes for a strong start to the season hinge on having their superstar in the lineup, and this health scare has raised concerns as Opening Day draws near.