The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for the series opener against the San Diego Padres didn’t include Trea Turner for the first time this season, which had Gavin Lux slated to start at shortstop in his place.
However, Lux was then scratched from the lineup because neck trouble resurfaced. “I don’t know if it was a plane flight or what it was, but as he started to get it loose, the neck started to act up again, get cranky,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the 7-1 loss.
“It was enough that he couldn’t post. So obviously he’s disappointed.”
Lux is also out of the lineup on Saturday and will likely miss a handful of games. The 24-year-old received a cortisone shot to treat the pain, but a stint on the injured list is considered unlikely, according to Roberts.
He previously was out of the lineup four consecutive games in late August because of the minor neck injury that also created some discomfort in Lux’s upper back area. That stretch also included an off day that allowed Lux to recover without missing a game.
Including Sunday, the Dodgers have four more games before the next break in their schedule. They then are off again Thursday, Sept. 15.
Without Lux, Roberts said it could create more opportunities for Miguel Vargas to find his way into the lineup. Vargas is making his third start of the season, and first start in left field, on Saturday while Mookie Betts is playing second base.
Lux is batting .293/.368/.428 with 18 doubles, seven triples, six home runs and 42 RBI over 115 games. He has already set career highs in games played, doubles and triples. Each of Lux’s batting average, on-base percentage and slugging is on track to be the best marks of his career as well. So too is Lux’s .350 wOBA and 127 wRC+.
Lux takes blame for misplays against Mets
Part of the Dodgers failing to maintain a lead against the New York Mets in the series finale at Chase Field was partly due to misplays by Lux. He first was slow to get to a grounder, and then didn’t communicate with Mookie Betts on a blooper to shallow right field that dropped for an RBI single and led to another run.
Those wound up proving to be the difference for the Mets in their 5-3 win, and Lux said after the game he needed to be able to make the catch.
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