The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Spring Training again planning on Gavin Lux taking hold of the starting job at shortstop, but for a second consecutive year that did not come to be.
Last spring, Lux suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee that caused him to miss the entire 2023 season. He spent the past year rehabbing from surgery and reported to Camelback Ranch excited and appreciative of the opportunity to remain the Dodgers’ starting shortstop.
But as throwing woes resurfaced, the Dodgers made an abrupt change to switch Lux to second base and have Mookie Betts take over at shortstop.
Despite that, Lux disagreed the notion he has trouble throwing to first base and believes he merely needs to get back into a rhythm, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Despite this and a history of throwing concerns, including a stint in spring 2019 when the Dodgers pulled Lux from game action entirely, Lux assured, “I don’t think it’s a throwing issue.”
“I think I just need to keep getting game reps,” said Lux, who hasn’t played shortstop on a regular basis since 2021 and who missed last season. “I think just getting out there and continuing to play, it’s knocking rust off more than anything.”
In his first Spring Training game back at second base, Lux appeared uncomfortable making throws to first base. He was improved on Sunday, which included turning a double play. But on Monday, Lux’s first opportunity pulled Kevin Padlo off first base.
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.
Mookie Betts encouraged Gavin Lux
Amid news of the position change, Betts spoke with Lux to offer some advice and remind him of the Dodgers’ collective World Series goal.
That message was well-received by Lux despite also having some disappointment over being moved away from his natural position for a second time.
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