The Los Angeles Dodgers have prided themselves on organizational depth, and while that’s been key on the field, it squeezed Matt Beaty and Gavin Lux out the door.
They both were optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as corresponding roster moves to activating Mookie Betts off the 10-day injured and recalling Darien Núñez. Neither had been receiving regularly opportunities, with Lux only recently returning from a hamstring strain.
Beaty’s playing time had dwindled as well since the arrival of Billy McKinney. “Matt has been very good for us for the last few years. Big hits, I’ve leaned on him numerous times in the regular season and postseason,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“It’s a roster crunch, it’s nothing about his performance, and there’s no messaging as far as work on this or that. He’s done everything I’ve asked of him, so it’s just more of a player that has options, gets to take at-bats every day, and hopefully we can get him back at some point. Very difficult, because he’s a Major League player.”
For Lux, the situation was a bit more nuanced as he’s without a clear role since the Dodgers acquired Trea Turner at the trade deadline.
“This time, where our roster is at right now, he’s not an every day player, but obviously that’s the light we see him in at some point,” Roberts said. “To get one at-bat in five days, it just makes sense for him to go down, get at-bats, he’s working on some things mechanically and he’s going to play.
“Again, it was some difficult conversations, but the bar is pretty high with this ballclub. … We have a lot of good players. Matt understands and is very good at his role. This was just a roster crunch. He understands that he’s done a very good job with the role. With Gavin, he’s just got to play.
“With where we’re at with the roster, there’s a role for him on our roster as a bench guy that can be versatile. But right now, we just don’t have that spot. We need the extra pitching.”
Dodgers’ plans for Beaty, Lux
When Lux returned from the IL, he made a first career start at third base and there was an expectation of filling a utility role moving forward. He will play that position while with OKC, along with some right field and the usual second base.
Beaty additionally will spend time at multiple positions.
“I think with Matt it’s left field, some right field, some first base,” Roberts said.
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