Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) warms up before the game against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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Mookie Betts Update: Dodgers Tokyo Series Lineup Prediction Without Star Shortstop

Mookie Betts has been sick for the last week

Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) warms up before the game against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Mookie Betts for the Tokyo Series, as the star shortstop continues to recover from an illness that has plagued him since the end of spring training. Betts, 32, began experiencing flu-like symptoms in the final week of camp and struggled during the team’s flight to Japan. Despite attempting light workouts, his condition hasn’t improved enough for him to take the field.

Betts was ruled out of the series on Sunday by manager Dave Roberts, who emphasized the team’s caution in handling his recovery. The six-time All-Star missed Saturday’s exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants and Sunday’s matchup with the Hanshin Tigers. Though he briefly participated in pregame drills, he fatigued quickly and opted out of Monday’s scheduled workout.

Mookie Betts gingerly walking off the field after working out pregame. He is sick and will sit out his second straight game before being reevaluated tomorrow to see if he can play Opening Day against the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/H2cSqIKWWv
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 16, 2025

Adding to the concern, Mookie Betts has reportedly lost nearly 15 pounds due to the illness. With his condition not improving as hoped, there is a possibility he could leave Japan early to focus on recovery.

Dodgers’ Shortstop and Lineup Adjustments

In Betts’ absence, Miguel Rojas is expected to step in at shortstop. The Dodgers also have additional infield depth with Tommy Edman, Enrique Hernández, and Chris Taylor as alternative options.

ALSO READ: 2025 MLB Tokyo Series: Schedule, Key Players, and Live Streaming Details

Here’s how the Dodgers’ lineup could shape up for the Tokyo Series without Betts:

Shohei Ohtani – DH
Tommy Edman – 2B
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Teoscar Hernández – RF
Max Muncy – 3B
Will Smith – C
Michael Conforto – LF
Andy Pages – CF
Miguel Rojas – SS

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Injury update

Mookie Betts

Tokyo Series

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.