After making his MLB debut last September and being included on the active roster for the National League Division Series, Gavin Lux was widely expected to begin the 2020 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers as their starting second baseman.
But weeks before the organization’s top prospect could enjoy his first career Opening Day at the big league level, Major League Baseball cancelled all remaining Spring Training games and delayed the start of the regular season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
MLB has since pushed back Opening Day for a second time and the season remains indefinitely suspended. There is some belief it could begin as soon as May — and with all teams playing and quarantined in Arizona — but June may be a more likely scenario.
For players, the wait to resume baseball is compounded by social distancing guidelines and stay at home orders issued by multiple states. Lux, who returned to Kenosha, Wis., noted he’s among those trying to make due with what’s available to him, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s tough, man. Especially since we got so close to getting the season rolling around. We were a couple weeks away and you kind of get that itch, and then you get shut down. Right now, I have a gym I can go work out at. One of my buddies owns it, so he gave me the keys and said, ‘You’ll be the only one in there.’ It allows me to get my work done still.
“And my uncle’s got a cage I can hit in, so kind of piecing it together as we go. You’ve got to make do with what you’ve got.”
Prior to his current routine, however, Lux explained he had to get much more creative with workouts:
“Before I had access to the gym, a really good family friend of mine owns a gym in Milwaukee, so I was able to drive up and fill it up with barbells, dumbbells, physio balls, kettlebells, kind of anything I could grab and fit in my car.
“I made a little home gym in my basement and I was doing pullups on this pipe that is my laundry room. It was the only thing that could hold my body weight, so I kind of got creative there. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently noted director of player development Brandon McDaniel was in communication with players and providing guidance on how to best continue with at-home workouts by “getting creative.”
McDaniel has provided a glimpse into what that entails by instructing workouts for fans that are live streamed across Dodgers social media channels.
Lux was among the final players to speak with media at Camelback Ranch before the Dodgers closed their Spring Training facility. He — and MLB as a whole — were still in wait-and-see mode. “I think there’s an area of concern. Not just for athletes but for everybody in general,” Lux said.
“There’s a lot of speculation, but there’s nothing you can really do or control about it. Just try to go about your business and prepare for the season. There’s a lot of unknowns, I guess.”
As for matters on the field, he finished Cactus League play primarily serving as a designated hitter. Lux wasn’t completely certain of what to make of it but he additionally downplayed any concern. “I’m just happy to go out and get at-bats,” Lux said.
“I feel comfortable on defense, wherever it is in the middle of the field. It’s not a concern for me. I feel good at second and shortstop, and I’m a lot better than where I was last year. I don’t think it’s an area of concern for me.”
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