The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a blow on Sunday Night when manager Dave Roberts announced that Mooke Betts would officially be out for the Tokyo Series with an illness, and the team is contemplating sending him back to LA early to recover.
Now the question is, what does the Dodgers lineup look like for the series?
Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Roberts said that Miguel Rojas will start both games at shortstop as the Chicago Cubs are starting two left-handed pitchers – Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele.
Miguel Rojas will start both games at shortstop for the Dodgers in Tokyo. Cubs are starting two lefties – Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. https://t.co/ZJ3wFVlKON
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 17, 2025
This is not official, but with Rojas playing shortstop, that likely means that Tommy Edman will move to 2nd, and then either Andy Pages or James Outman will play center field.
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While it is a shame that Betts has to miss this historic series, it is the right decision. After this series, the Dodgers next game is not until the home opener in LA against the Detroit Tigers. So this gives Betts a full 10 days to get fully healthy.
Betts is transitioning from right field to shortstop, so playing out of position when not fully healthy brings a greater risk of potential long-term injury.
Betts will be missed, but the Dodgers are still plenty talented to bring the fireworks in Tokyo. The first pitch is set for Tuesday at 7 PM JST (3 AM PST).