Mookie Betts is expected to play Tuesday evening for the first time since March 9 when his Dodgers conclude spring training play and the Freeway Series by facing the Angels at Angel Stadium.
The Dodger shortstop has been sidelined by an undiagnosed illness. He told reporters Sunday that he had lost 18 pounds in the span of two weeks, been throwing up every time he ate solid foods and could tolerate only liquids, such as smoothies.
Betts accompanied the team to Japan but returned to California before the first of two games against the Chicago Cubs to get more time to rebuild strength in a familiar environment, manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Tokyo.
Before Monday’s 5-4 exhibition loss to the Angels at Angel Stadium, Roberts said he thought Betts had “turned a corner.”
Roberts said he “talked to him, (and he) said he feels great on his way home and expects to play tomorrow (Tuesday),” Roberts said. “So right now, we’re in a good spot.â
Dustin May will pitch for the Dodgers against fellow right-hander Jack Kochanowicz.
May is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and six strikeouts in five innings over in three spring training appearances after not pitching in regular season game since May 17, 2023. He was diagnosed with a right flexor pronator strain then underwent surgery on the flexor tendon in his right elbow, as well as a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 ulnar collateral ligament sprain.
May spent the entire 2024 season rehabbing from the torn flexor tendon in his right arm and an esophageal tear suffered while eating a salad.
Several minor leaguers will follow May to the mound Tuesday.
The Angels announced Monday that Kochanowicz would be their fifth starter. Kochanowicz went into Tuesday with a 1-1 record and a 2.92 ERA in 12 1/3 innings in four spring training appearances.
Kochanowicz was chosen by the Angels in the third round of the 2019 draft and made his major league debut last July 11. He was 2-6 with a 3.99 ERA in 11 starts.
The Angels announced Tuesday they had released outfielder Mickey Moniak, who hit .219 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs in 124 games last season.
Moniak was the first player chosen in the 2016 draft, reached the majors in 2020 and was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Angels in 2022 with minor league outfielder Jadiel Sanchez in exchange for pitcher Noah Syndergaard.
The reigning World Series champion Dodgers will play their regular season home opener Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.
The Angels will open the regular season Thursday in Chicago against the White Sox and play their home opener April 4 against the Cleveland Guardians.