The Los Angeles Dodgers envisioned Gavin Lux taking on the everyday role at shortstop last season but that plan was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training.
There was a slim possibility Lux would return by the end of the 2023 season but he wound up missing the entire year. Now the 26-year-old is looking to establish himself in the role the Dodgers outlined a year ago.
That’s entailed regularly working out at Dodger Stadium during the offseason, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
Lux is feeling healthier and has been working out at Dodger Stadium all winter. The key for him this spring will be showing that he can move laterally into the holes to make plays on the surgically repaired knee.
Lux is projected to be ready when Spring Training begins. His last full season came in 2022, when Lux hit .276/.346/.399 slash over 129 games.
Lux will have plenty of help throughout the Dodgers lineup and in the field to take pressure off him.
What the Dodgers can expect from Gavin Lux
In his return from ACL surgery, Lux is on track to start the season in a prominent role within a potent Dodgers lineup.
The time away from the team saw a rotation of Miguel Rojas, Amed Rosario and Chris Taylor see the bulk of the playing time at shortstop. A significant downside of those options is offensive output, which the Dodgers see Lux improving upon.
Projections have Lux staying on par with his 2022 offensive production, which would make him a solid contributor. Slotting into the lower third of the Dodgers lineup, likely even in the ninth spot, would be optimal.
In 2022 when batting eighth or ninth, Lux posted a 129 wRC+ with a .797 on-base plus slugging percentage.
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