After relying on Corey Seager, Manny Machado and Trea Turner at shortstop, the Los Angeles Dodgers intended to have Gavin Lux take hold of the position last season.
However, Lux suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training and went on to miss the entire 2023 season. While other areas of the roster were improved during the winter, the Dodgers moved ahead with their plan of having Lux take over as starting shortstop.
Though, there was reported interest in potentially trading for Willy Adames and Bo Bichette, among other possibilities.
But as the start of Spring Training approached, the Dodgers continued to voice their confidence in Lux becoming the starter at shortstop this year.
Amid some of his throwing struggles resurfacing, manager Dave Roberts declined to remain fully committed for Lux as the Dodgers’ shortstop come Opening Day, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“I don’t know,” Roberts said on Thursday, when asked if he anticipates Lux being his starting shortstop on opening day. “Obviously, performance is paramount at this level and for a team vying to win a championship. So I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know that it will be in the vein of whatever gives us the best chance to win.”
Over 31 innings so far this spring, Lux has committed two errors — one throwing and one fielding — in 10 opportunities, resulting in an .800 fielding percentage. But in instances where Lux did not make an error, he has looked unsteady.
Some of that was to be expected considering he went one year without playing and thus needs to settle into a rhythm. But what’s been concerning is each of Lux’s throws to first base have been off target, or bounced in the dirt or grass in front of the bag.
Further complicating matters for the Dodgers is Lux has a history of struggling with making throws, although some of that came while playing second base, a position he admittedly never got comfortable in.
Lux expressed his excitement with returning to shortstop this season, but like in 2023, that opportunity may slip away before it comes to fruition.
Dodgers shortstop options to replace Gavin Lux
If the Dodgers replace Lux at shortstop, the most likely candidate to take over would be Miguel Rojas, who manned the position for the bulk of last season.
Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández are options as well. Hernández did not grade out favorably last season but he believes that stemmed from continuing to play through hernia injuries that were addressed with offseason surgery.
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