Dodgers, Cubs train for MLB opener in Tokyo

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs held training sessions on Monday (March 17), one day before squaring off in the opening game of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season in Tokyo. Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki from the Dodgers were seen taking part in the session at the Tokyo Dome, along with Cubs’ outfielder Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Shota Imanaga, who are also from Japan. However, MLB’s superstar Shohei Ohtani did not appear in the training on Monday. Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki hosted their teammates at a players-only sushi dinner on Sunday night for the team to bond before the upcoming games, said the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after training. The Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the two-game Tokyo series against the Cubs due to illness, Roberts confirmed. The 32-year-old developed flu-like symptoms before coming to Japan and did not feature in the two exhibition games on the weekend. Yamamoto is expected to take the mound for the Dodgers against the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga on Tuesday and Sasaki will take the baton for the second game on Wednesday. (Production: Irene Wang, Ryota Nomura)