Gavin Lux returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers last week after a stint on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain with no obvious role for him due to Corey Seager being healthy again and the addition of Trea Turner.
With Seager and Turner up the middle, there wasn’t going to be much time for Lux there, so the Dodgers got him reps at third base during his Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Lux started at the position on his first night back from the IL. Going forward, he will be used in a utility role and potentially even make starts in right field.
Although playing in a utility role isn’t something the former top prospect is accustomed to, Lux said he is happy to do whatever he can to help the team win, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“Obviously you look at that lineup up and down, it’s like an All-Star team,” Lux said Tuesday, drenched in sweat from early work that had expanded to grounders at third base and observing balls off the bat in batting practice from the outfield. Wherever I can mix in, I’m more than happy. I mean, Trea’s one of the best players in baseball. He’s maybe the most dynamic player in baseball … it’s a learning opportunity. There’s a lot of really good players here, so that’s kind of the outlook I got on it.”
In his first Major League game at third base, Lux made two throwing errors in his six innings played. Understandably, there is still some work to be done to get him prepared for the role as he only has 26 professional innings at the hot corner.
Lux has also never played in the outfield during his professional career, but Roberts is confident that wouldn’t be an issue.
“Gavin is a very athletic player,” Roberts said. “It’s just playing deep second base. If he’s out there, he’ll be fine.”
Roberts not worried with Lux
Although Lux committed two errors in his first — and only — game at third base for the Dodgers thus far, Roberts downplayed having any concern.
Lux started at second base the following night but has yet to appear in a game since.
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