The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Gavin Lux on the 60-day injured list as part of officially setting their Opening Day roster for the 2023 season.
Lux is expected to miss the entire year after undergoing surgery on March 7 for a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee. The operation was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Lux sustained his right knee injury while running to third base during a Cactus League game against the San Diego Padres on February 27.
“I tried to duck out of the way of the throw, and I think my cleat kind of got stuck into the ground a little bit,” Lux explained.
“It straightened out a little funky and bowed out, and kind of rolled up on my ankle too. Freak thing. I don’t even think it’s really avoidable. In hindsight, I probably should’ve just took the throw to the nose and worn it. [Expletive] happens. I’ll just crush the rehab and move on.”
Lux went 2-for-6 with one run scored in two games before his Spring Training came to an unfortunate end. More importantly for the Dodgers, he was showing comfort defensively in moving back to shortstop.
Now the 25-year-old shifts his focus to the rehab process and overcoming disappointment of being robbed of the opportunity to start at shortstop for the Dodgers.
“[Expletive] happens. Control what you can control,” Lux said. “Crush my rehab and try to be ready for 2024 when it rolls around. It’s kind of all you can do.”
How Dodgers are replacing Gavin Lux
Lux’s injury changed Miguel Rojas’ role from utility infielder to the starter at shortstop. The domino effect also involved Chris Taylor, who is expected to see more time at shortstop and third base rather than primarily playing the outfield.
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