Gavin Lux suffered an apparent right knee injury on Monday and had to be removed in the sixth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the San Diego Padres.
Lux tripped while running to third base and immediately grabbed near his right knee after tumbling to the ground. He was then carted off the field in the sixth inning and was replaced by Jorbit Vivas.
The severity of the injury is currently unclear, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts immediately signaling for the cart is concerning. Lux also had trouble putting weight on his leg as he was loaded onto the cart.
“What I did hear first off was from Gavin, and obviously there’s some fear in there. Outside of the knee, he heard something pop,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ win. “So obviously as a player you’re thinking the worst. We don’t know a whole lot right now. He’s on his way to get an MRI.”
Lux was starting at shortstop for the second time this spring as he is penciled in as the Dodgers starter at the position. Roberts said Lux and Miguel Vargas would start together often to build chemistry in the middle of the infield.
If Lux is to miss any significant time, Miguel Rojas would figure to slot in as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop. Rojas is also currently dealing with a cramp in his leg, but Roberts and the 34-year-old both expressed optimism that it is minor.
Rojas has been working as a mentor toward Lux this Spring. “He’s going to make him a lot better,” Roberts said.
“For me, just the small time I’ve seen Miguel, he loves to practice. He understands the value of practicing the right way, practicing fast and doing things right. I think for a young player like Gavin, it’s important for him to see guys that do it the right way.”
During FanFest, Freddie Freeman mentioned he was excited to see Lux this season.
“When you have young players like Miguel Vargas, Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller and who I’m most excited about, Gavin Lux,” Freeman said. “I know he’s been here, I get that, but the man was hitting .300 last year. Consistent with his approach, his plan of attack, and now he’s been given the task to play shortstop.
“Not just shortstop, but for the Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s a big task. If anybody is ready to do that, I think he is. I think he had a nice building year last year. Wish he didn’t get hurt at the end.”
Gavin Lux enjoying return to shortstop
After going through an era where perennial All-Stars Corey Seager and Trea Turner was a starting shortstop, the Dodgers turned to Lux for a return to his natural position.
Once a top prospect in baseball, Lux’s opportunity and impact with the Dodgers has come at second base. However, after losing Turner in free agency, the Dodgers made an early commitment to Lux.
He remained the projected starter even after the Dodgers completed a trade for Rojas, who had been the regular shortstop for the Miami Marlins.
As Lux was heading into a season in which he’ll need to play a pivotal role, the 25-year-old is looking forward to an opportunity to return to his natural position.
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