Betts dealing with illness in Japan, Roberts hopeful he’ll be ready for opening day

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. The Dodgers are playing the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers — two teams from Japan — in exhibition games on Saturday and Sunday.

Roberts said the 32-year-old Betts started to feel flu-like symptoms during the team’s final day in Arizona, but team doctors said he was OK to make the long trip to Japan.

“Mookie is here today, but he’s been really sick,” Roberts said. “Lost some weight, so we’re trying to get him hydrated. He’s going to work out a little today, but he won’t be playing either tonight or tomorrow.

“Then when we have our off day, our workout day, we’ll see how he is.”

Poulakidas’ 13 lead Yale over Princeton 59-57 in Ivy League Tournament

PROVIDENCE, R.I. >> John Poulakidas had 13 points in top-seeded Yale’s 59-57 win over fourth-seeded Princeton on Saturday in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals.

Yale, the defending champion and seven-time NCAA Tournament participant, will play Dartmouth or Cornell in the championship game on Sunday.

Poulakidas went 5 of 13 from the field (3 for 9 from 3-point range) for the Bulldogs (21-7). Nick Townsend scored 12 points while going 3 of 9 and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line and added 12 rebounds. Bez Mbeng shot 4 of 7 from the field and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points.

Xaivian Lee finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals for the Tigers (19-11). Blake Peters added 14 points for Princeton. Caden Pierce also had 11 points and four assists.

Titans release cornerback Chidobe Awuzie after 1 season with the team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. >> The Tennessee Titans released Chidobe Awuzie on Saturday after signing the veteran cornerback to a three-year contract last spring.

Awuzie was guaranteed $23 million in the deal that could have netted him up to $36 million as the Titans spent big in 2024 trying to plug major holes, especially in their secondary.

According to Spotrac.com, Awuzie got $19 million at signing. His release avoids the $3.98 million guaranteed on the fifth day of the new league year, which is Sunday.

The 29-year-old Awuzie spent three seasons in Cincinnati before moving to Tennessee to play for former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan in his first season as Titans coach.

Real Madrid says it won’t play again without 72 hours of rest between matches

MADRID >> Real Madrid won’t agree to play another game without 72 hours of rest between matches.

The club made the announcement, which was confirmed by coach Carlo Ancelotti, after its 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday.

Madrid’s game at Villarreal game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) on Saturday. Madrid had played a Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday that started at 9:00 p.m. and lasted 120 minutes plus a penalty shootout.

The club said it will consult with FIFA about the scheduling of this week’s games.

— The Associated Press