The Los Angeles Dodgers saw AJ Pollock return this week from the 10-day injured list, but have still needed Gavin Lux in the outfield because of Chris Taylor being eased back from a lingering neck issue.
The 23-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 10 and started 10 of the last 14 games in left field. The other four games have seen Lux make starts in center field.
An infielder by trade, Lux is learning how to play left field on the fly as he had no professional experience there before the 2021 season. Mookie Betts once made a similar transition, and is now looking to assist his teammate.
“Obviously the outfield is so much different than the infield, so just trying to help him going through some of the growing pains that all outfielders end up going through once you transition from infield to outfield,” Betts said of the advice he’s given Lux.
“Just told him to play aggressive and he can catch the ball too. That was pretty much it. He’s been swinging the bat really well and helping us down at the bottom (of the lineup). He’s been huge for us.”
Outside of a collision with Cody Bellinger that did result in the former National League MVP sustaining a non-displaced fracture in his left ribs, Lux’s transition to the outfield has been relatively seamless.
He’s yet to record an error and recently showed off tremendous speed and instincts to make a running catch in center field.
Betts used own experience to help Lux
While Betts has played the majority of his games in right field this season, he also occasionally sees time at second base to help manage his hip trouble. “It’s super tough, especially in the middle of a season,” Betts said of changing positions.
“Some things he has to learn by himself. There’s not like a list of things to go over. A lot of it is just through experience. I told him to expect some growing pains but that’s how you learn.”
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