Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with two home runs, including a walk-off three-run shot, during their victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday evening. Betts would tally his first hit of the evening with a single in the sixth inning. Later in the eighth, Betts would launch his first long ball of the contest, this time a solo shot off right-hander Jack Flaherty. In extra innings, Betts would conclude his impressive evening with a walk-off three-run blast that scored Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani. During the final weeks of camp, Betts was dealing with an illness and was unable to play during their opening series in Tokyo. However, he was able to turn the corner in time for Thursday and looked quite healthy on Friday evening. Fantasy managers should continue to view Betts as a high-end option in all formats and a top play in DFS.
As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) is starting at shortstop and is batting in his customary No. 2 spot for the team's home opener at Dodger Stadium against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tarik Skubal. Betts didn't play in the season-opening two-game series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo, Japan, due to a pretty serious illness that caused him to lose almost 20 pounds. The 32-year-old former MVP was able to return to the team's exhibition game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels, though, going 0-for-3. Betts should be locked into fantasy lineups in season-long leagues despite the fact that he's facing the reigning American League Cy Young winner, but those playing DFS will probably want to avoid Betts as he tries to regain his strength following a multi-week illness. Betts has never faced Skubal in his career.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts (illness) expects to play on Opening Day. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that Betts needed to get through Tuesday's contest before committing. He started at shortstop and did not face any setbacks during the contest. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status, but it appears the 32-year-old will be in the starting nine on Thursday when the Dodgers host the Detroit Tigers. Last season, Betts posted a stellar .289/.372/.491 slash line with 24 doubles, 19 home runs, and 16 stolen bases. He generated an elite .356 xwOBA and .282 xBA, which placed him in the 90th and 92nd percentile, respectively. He also posted an excellent 11.0 percent strikeout rate and an 11.8 percent walk rate. When healthy, he will likely bat in the two-hole behind Shohei Ohtani.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) is back at shortstop and is hitting second for Tuesday's exhibition game against the crosstown-rival Los Angeles Angels. Betts fell ill just before the Dodgers departed for Tokyo, Japan, and missed both of their wins against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday and Wednesday. Although the 32-year-old former MVP reportedly lost around 20 pounds due to the illness, he's been feeling better of late and is giving it a go in the team's final exhibition game before their home opener this Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. It remains to be seen how effective Betts will be on the field, but he should be in the starting lineup on Thursday and in all starting fantasy lineups as well against lefty Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young winner. In 11 Cactus League games, Betts went 6-for-25 (.240) with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored.
Mookie Betts Works Out Monday, Optimistic About Playing On Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) was able to keep food down on Monday and also worked out at Dodgers Stadium, according to manager Dave Roberts. Betts is optimistic that he will play in the final Freeway Series game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels after sitting out on Monday. The 32-year-old eight-time All-Star and former MVP has been sick since before the Dodgers departed for Tokyo, Japan, for a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs last week. Not only did he not play in any games in Japan, he lost nearly 20 pounds and was sent home early after not being able to keep any food down. While it sounds like Betts is feeling better, it could take him a while to work his strength back and regain weight. If he returns to Tuesday's exhibition lineup, Betts will likely be available on Opening Day, but he could be eased into the start of the regular season.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) remains out of the team's lineup for Monday's exhibition contest against the crosstown-rival Los Angeles Angels. Veteran Miguel Rojas is at the 6 and will bat eighth for the Blue. Betts came down with an illness shortly before the Dodgers left for Tokyo, Japan, for a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs that was played last Tuesday and Wednesday. The 32-year-old didn't play in either game against Chicago and has reportedly lost almost 20 pounds while being unable to keep food down. There's no word on whether he'll be in the team's Opening Day lineup this Thursday against the visiting Detroit Tigers, but fantasy managers should at least be a little concerned about Betts' health for the start of the season. Rojas should continue to fill in at short, but if this turns into a long-term absence, Tommy Edman would be an option to see playing time in the infield as well.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) has said he is down to 157 pounds due to the illness he is experiencing that kept him from traveling with the team on March 18 and 19 to Tokyo, Japan, where the Dodgers took on the Chicago Cubs in a two-game series. The 32-year-old veteran has mentioned his frustration with the illness, stating that he is fine but is struggling to keep food and drink down. The loss in weight is undoubtedly concerning, and fantasy managers will want to continue to monitor his progress as Opening Day begins in a few days. The Dodgers may want to play this slowly and allow him to continue to rest and get his strength up before having him return to the lineup. In Betts' absence, Miguel Rojas was filling in at shortstop for the Dodgers in their two-game series against the Cubs. Expect Rojas to continue to see action at shortstop if Betts continues to miss time.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) flew back to Los Angeles on Tuesday. Betts came down with an illness just before the team departed to Tokyo, Japan, last week for a few exhibition games last weekend and their season-opening, two-game series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19. The 32-year-old veteran was fatigued during workouts, didn't play in either exhibition game and was ruled out for the series against the Cubs as well due to flu-like symptoms. Betts will now rest up in hopes that he'll be feeling good enough to play for the Dodgers' home opener on Thursday, March 27, against the Detroit Tigers. When healthy, Betts will serve as L.A.'s starting shortstop in 2025 while hitting second in the batting order behind superstar Shohei Ohtani. Miguel Rojas started at the 6 and hit eighth, going 1-for-4 with a strikeout in the 4-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday.
Mookie Betts Won't Play In Tokyo Series Against Cubs
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder Mookie Betts (illness) will not play in the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19, according to manager Dave Roberts. Betts came down with an illness right before the team left for Japan, and it held him out of the team's exhibition games on Saturday and Sunday against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, respectively. The 32-year-old former MVP isn't quite ready, and the Dodgers are considering sending him back to L.A. early so that he can continue to recover for the U.S. season opener on March 27 against the visiting Detroit Tigers. We'd be surprised if Betts isn't ready by then, but we'll continue to monitor his status closely. With Betts out this coming week against Chicago, expect veteran Miguel Rojas to start both games at the 6 for the Blue.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/infielder Mookie Betts (illness) has been showing fatigue during team practices and could be in danger of missing the Tokyo series. Manager Dave Roberts said, "I think that we're really trying to be mindful of not just Opening Day but not putting him in harm's way." He added, " I just don't think the training staff would feel good about it" when discussing him playing during the Tokyo series. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but it appears that the coaching staff will lean on the side of caution and keep Betts sidelined for the opening series of the regular season. The 32-year-old has been dealing with this illness before they traveled to Tokyo. In addition, Betts has lost some weight due to the illness. Miguel Rojas will likely cover shortstop if he were to miss this series. Betts should continue to be viewed as a solid pick in the first round of all formats given his five category upside and elite plate discipline.
Mookie Betts
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Dodgers
