The 2023 season was filled with promise for Los Angeles Dodger shortstop Gavin Lux. Lux was set to become the starting shortstop for L.A., but all that changed during spring training.
Lux suffered a torn ACL a month before the start of the regular season, and just like that, his season was done. Now, a little under one year since that devastating injury, Lux is making great progress.
Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel recently spoke to Sportsnet LA, and had a positive update on Lux’s injury recovery.
“He’s on track,” Ebel said. “He’s taking ground balls. He’s in cleats. He’s running. He’s determined to be ready by spring training games. And everything right now is on par. Great attitude, he looks good taking grounders, he’s moving well. So just a matter of time. It’s gonna be more mentally than physically.”
The 26-year-old had to wait a year to become L.A.’s starting shortstop, but all signs point to him claiming that role come Opening Day of the 2024 season.
This year, though, there will be even less pressure for him to perform right away. With guys like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, and Teoscar Hernandez in front of him in the lineup, Lux can take his time getting back into form.
Lux’s last full season came in 2022, when he slashed .276/.346/.399 with a .745 OPS, six home runs, and 42 RBIs in 129 games. If he’s fully healthy, Lux should see an increase in at-bats and games played. If those numbers from 2022 translate, L.A. could end up having one of the deepest lineups in baseball.
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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