After years of relying on Corey Seager or Trea Turner at shortstop, the Los Angeles Dodgers planned to turn to former top prospect Gavin Lux for the 2023 season.
But that scenario was upended two games into Spring Training as Lux suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee while running the bases. The Dodgers initially left the door open for a late return in 2023, but Lux wound up missing the entire season.
He steadily checked off boxes with the rehab process throughout the year and is on track to make a full recovery in time for Opening Day of the 2024 season.
According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Lux is expected to be the starting shortstop once again:
Despite missing all of this past year with a significant knee injury, Gavin Lux is in line to “take down a good amount” of playing time at shortstop next year, Gomes said Wednesday.
With Lux no longer available, the Dodgers turned to Miguel Rojas as their everyday shortstop. That was a change in expected roles for Rojas, who originally planned to be a super utility man off the bench.
Even with the Dodgers expecting to rely on Lux at shortstop, Rojas figures to again see time at that position as well.
For Lux, it’s going to be his first extended opportunity to play shortstop for the Dodgers on a daily basis. He was drafted by the Dodgers as a shortstop but has spent the bulk of his Major League career at second base (169 games) than any other position.
Shortstop is second-most (68 games) and after that is left field (39 games).
Gavin Lux cleared mental challenge
Already facing the prospect of not being able to play for the Dodgers this year, Lux needed to overcome a mental challenge of his recovery taking place away from the team.
“Before, when I was just coming to the stadium for two hours and leaving, it just felt weird,” Lux told DodgerBlue.com. “But being around your guys and having that clubhouse interaction every day kind of keeps me sane. Being around helps a ton.
“The hardest part is just mentally. Physically, I get three hours a day where I get to bust my ass and try to strengthen everything around it and get myself where I want to be. But the hardest part is all the free time after that.
“You’re so used to being at the field, taking ground balls, hitting, trying to get ready for a game. It’s just a lot of free time, so mentally it’s a little bit more of a grind than physically.”
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