The Los Angeles Dodgers planned to have Gavin Lux be their starting shortstop this season, but the team made an abrupt change following the 26-year-old’s previous throwing issues resurfacing. Mookie Betts has taken over as the team’s everyday shortstop, with Lux moving back to second base.
It marks the second consecutive year that Lux lost hold of the starting job at shortstop. He was projected to be given the reins last season before suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during the spring.
Lux refuted the notion that he is having trouble throwing to first base and believes he merely needs to get back into a rhythm after not playing baseball for a full year.
Furthermore, Lux said he has accepted the decision and is redirecting his focus to being a great double-play partner with Betts amid the position change, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“It doesn’t do any good for anybody to sit and mope around,” Lux said. “Like we talk about, me and Mookie are getting out there early every single day, turning double plays, talking through stuff together. I think it’s that more than anything. There’s no other option. We have to move forward. The ultimate goal is to win games. I don’t think either of us cares where it is.”
Lux committed two errors in four games at shortstop this spring and after some initial bumps, has appeared more comfortable with making throws to first base as a second baseman.
If there’s a bright spot for Lux, he has extensive MLB experience at second base, which should help with his transition back to the position.
When Lux was a full-time second baseman for the Dodgers in 2022, he posted an outs above average in the 80th percentile. But as for his arm, Lux ranked in just the eighth percentile.
Lux’s offensive production isn’t in question as he’s hit well during Spring Training, which was a factor in finding a way to keep him in the lineup.
Mookie Betts offered words of encouragement to Gavin Lux
After the Dodgers made the position change, Betts offered some encouragement to Lux and reiterated that the overall goal of winning a World Series remains unchanged.
It’s a message Lux received well and echoed as the Dodgers head into their most anticipated season in franchise history.
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