Dodgers begin the 2025 MLB season in Tokyo against Cubs, missing Mookie Betts due to illness.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for an exciting start to the 2025 MLB season with a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan. However, the team will be missing their star shortstop, Mookie Betts, who is currently battling a lingering illness that has resulted in a significant weight loss of nearly 15 pounds due to dehydration. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Betts will not participate in the Tokyo Series and may return to the U.S. for further recovery.

In Betts` absence, veteran Miguel Rojas is expected to step in as the starting shortstop. Despite this setback, the Dodgers` lineup remains formidable, featuring standout players such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Will Smith, and Max Muncy. The pitching rotation for the series will include promising talents Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, who are set to take the mound against the Cubs.

This series not only marks the Dodgers` season opener but also highlights the growing international presence of MLB, with Japanese players like Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga representing the Cubs. The anticipation surrounding this event is palpable, as fans look forward to a thrilling matchup in Tokyo.

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