Over recent weeks Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts regularly faced questions about Gavin Lux and the prospect of making his MLB debut once active rosters expanded on Sept. 1. The fourth-year manager issued caution early on before suggesting it was plausible.
Roberts initially explained Lux would potentially join the Dodgers under an apprenticeship, just as Will Smith did with the club last year. More recently, however, Roberts acknowledged the Dodgers were mulling over promoting Lux with an intention to play him.
Reports of Lux earning his first career call-up surfaced prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Roberts confirmed the news following the Dodgers’ win in extra innings.
Lux not only will join the team on Monday but make his MLB debut at Dodger Stadium, per Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
Dave Roberts said Gavin Lux will make his major-league debut tomorrow at Dodger Stadium. He’ll start and play 2nd base.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) September 2, 2019
The Dodgers will need to make a corresponding move on their 40-man roster in order to formally call up the organization’s top prospect. With Roberts already having ruled out Tyler White returning this season, he conceivably could be transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Lux began the year with Double-A Tulsa, where he batted .313/.375/.521 with seven doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 64 games en route to being named a Texas League All-Star. The 21-year-old was then promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City near the end of June.
He continued a torrid pace at the plate, collecting at least one hit in each of his first 16 games with the Dodgers’ top affiliate. That included a stretch of three four-hit games, one five-hit effort and a five-game home run streak.
Lux batted .392/.478/.719 with 18 doubles, 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 49 games for Oklahoma City. His forthcoming arrival in Majors is not only a testament to Lux’s success at the plate but also newfound versatility.
He approached the Dodgers earlier this season about beginning to play more regularly at second base. That’s paid off as Lux conceivably could fill an everyday role at the position while Max Muncy recovers from a right wrist fracture.
Lux joins Smith, Matt Beaty, Kyle Garlick, Josh Sborz, Tony Gonsolin, Edwin Rios and Dustin May as Dodgers who have made their MLB debut this season.
