The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Spring Training with a new-look middle infield of Mookie Betts playing second base and Gavin Lux back at his natural shortstop position.
Lux was expected to take over at shortstop last season but suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee during Spring Training, which caused him to miss all of 2023. The domino effect included Betts seeing some time at the position, in addition to second base.
Given Betts’ success on the infield dirt and in looking to keep him healthy moving forward, the Dodgers made a decision to move their Gold Glove right fielder to second base on a full-time basis.
But in light of Lux’s recent defensive struggles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Betts now is taking over at second base, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called Mookie Betts’ move to shortstop “permanent, for now.” Gavin Lux will get all of his reps at second base moving forward.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) March 8, 2024
Betts played 16 games (12 starts) at shortstop last season. He lobbied his way into doing so and it marked Betts’ first time in his career playing shortstop.
Whether at second base or shortstop, Roberts expressed a belief that moving Betts into the infield coincided with an uptick in offensive production. Though, that was a sentiment Betts disagreed with.
As for Lux, he was excited by shifting back to shortstop this season and thankful the Dodgers had stuck by him for the starting job despite last year’s significant right knee injury. Lux also expressed there were challenges for him with playing second base and that shortstop felt much more natural.
Mookie Betts confident in chemistry with Gavin Lux
When looking ahead to forming a double play duo with Lux, Betts said he believed forming chemistry would not be an issue because of the strong friendship the two share.
That still will be a factor moving forward, but with Lux and Betts now flipped in terms of positions.
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