The star has lost weight from a lingering virus that could jeopardize his availability for the Dodgers’ regular-season games Tuesday and Wednesday in Tokyo

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.

Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers' two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.

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.

Team officials have stated their mission to “paint Japan blue” and become the nation’s most popular MLB team. But this week, over their first 24 hours in Tokyo for a season-opening trip to Japan, they got to actually feel what being Japan’s team is like.

Dodger-mania is in full swing in Tokyo. The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting ready for their season opener against the Chicago Cubs in Japan. KCAL Sports reporter Darren Haynes has been reporting from Tokyo,