The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on a reunion of sorts during their road trip, which has included facing Walker Buehler for the first time since he signed with the Boston Red Sox, and then playing against Gavin Lux.
The Dodgers traded Lux to the Cincinnati Reds at the beginning of the year in exchange for prospect Mike Sirota and a competitive balance pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. It was a decision that stemmed in part from alleviating a logjam after the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim to a multi-year contract.
Lux played in a Cactus League game against the Dodgers during Spring Training, but this week’s series at Great American Ball Park is the first matchup of any importance and significance.
As such, Lux told David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports that he experienced some nervous feelings that were similar to the Dodgers’ World Series run last October:
“I had some butterflies, man. I was texting with some of the guys over there and I was like, ‘Man, I haven’t felt that since the playoffs last year for whatever reason.’ It’s always fun lining up against your boys. Obviously, a really talented team and Yama on the mound, who I love a lot, so it was fun. It was fun to be on the other side of it.”
Through the first two games against his former teammates, Lux is a combined 1-for-5 with one run scored, one RBI and three walks. He started as the Reds’ designated hitter and batted cleanup in the series opener, then was in left field and the leadoff spot of their lineup on Tuesday.
Lux has played 42 games (38 starts) for the Reds in left field thus far, and made 35 appearances as their DH. He’s also been utilized at second base (11 games; 10 starts) and third base (six; five).
Reds value Gavin Lux’s leadership
A former top Dodgers prospect and first-round draft pick, Lux’s time in L.A. entailed being one of the younger players and learning from veterans in the clubhouse. Being traded to the Reds brought a role reversal for the two-time World Series champion.
“I told him in our individual meeting the other day, ‘Don’t think other guys aren’t looking to you. You’ve been there and done it,'” Reds manager Terry Francona told DodgerBlue.com during spring Training.
“I said, ‘I know you’re young, but compared to most of our guys, he’s one of the veterans. Same thing with (Jose) Trevino, who played in the World Series. That’s meaningful, and we’ll try to use it to our advantage.”
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