The Tokyo Series opening will not feature Mookie Betts: For the Cubs game, Dave Roberts wants to be ready.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts still hopes that Mookie Betts will be ready for the season opener against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome, after his star player presented with flu-like symptoms.

The Tokyo Series 2025 opens this Saturday and Sunday with a pair of games between MLB teams and Japanese teams. While the Dodgers will face the Yomiuri Giants, the Cubs will face the Hanshin Tigers.

Mookie Betts has lost weight

Betts will miss the game against Yomiuri as he is on the unavailable list and Roberts made this clear this past Friday: “Mookie is here today, but he has been very sick. He has lost a little weight, so we are trying to hydrate him. He is going to do a little workout today, but he will not play either tonight or tomorrow. Then, when we have our day off, our training day, we’ll see how he is.“, said the manager.

Betts was unable to play the last two games of the Cactus League, and his visit to Japan has not made things better, especially in the midst of the expectation of the opening of the season and in the midst of a complete transition to the shortstop position, after playing most of his career in right field and second base.

The slugger will be re-evaluated before Tuesday’s game against the Cubs, however, it is unclear whether he will be able to overcome his illness and play in front of the Japanese crowd that packed the first training session of the World Series champions.

The expectation in the Japanese capital is very high, and while the players enjoy the exciting visit alongside their wives and girlfriends, both the Dodgers and Cubs are taking Tuesday’s duel very seriously and declare themselves ready, despite absences such as Betts.

Upon their return from Japan, the Angels are set to host the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium on March 27.