As the reigning World Series champions begin their 2025 season in Japan, one of their biggest stars may be sidelined.

Dodgers' Mookie Betts has been sidelined by an illness during the team's trip to Japan, but Dave Roberts provided the latest update.

Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers' two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. Roberts said he's still hopeful that the eight-time All-Star will be available for the team's first regular season game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome.

Catch the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Hanshin Tigers in the Tokyo Series this Saturday on MLB.TV. The Dodgers have made the trip to Japan and will play in their second exhibition game before playing a two-game regular season set against the Chicago Cubs starting Tuesday.

Last year, the Padres and Dodgers got the MLB regular season started early with two games in South Korea. This year, it’s the Cubs and Dodgers kicking things off the week before league-wide Opening Day.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized their 31-man travel roster for the upcoming Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs, set to take place at the iconic Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. This event not only marks the beginning of the 2025 MLB season but also underscores baseball’s expanding global footprint.