After a relatively modest attempt to re-sign Trea Turner in free agency fell short when he joined the Philadelphia Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers shifted to having Gavin Lux become their starting shortstop for the 2023 season.
Lux looked forward to the opportunity of taking on an everyday role at his natural position, and the Dodgers collectively expressed confidence in handing him the reins after relying on Corey Seager and Turner at shortstop.
But Lux was robbed of the chance to shine at shortstop when he suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee. The injury occurred in just the Dodgers’ third game of Spring Training and led to Lux missing all of last season.
After a rehab process that spanned more than a year, Lux is excited to get back on the field in a Cactus League game, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I think I’m more excited than nervous. Honestly, I think there’s just going to be more anxiousness to get back out there,” Lux said. “It’s really been a year and a half. I guess I only played in two spring training games before I blew out. I think it’s more just excited to get back out there and run around and be a baseball player instead of a rehab player.”
That Lux’s first game since the right knee injury is coming at Peoria Sports Complex, where he suffered it, is contributing to mixed emotions but he is determined to have a better outcome Thursday:
“That’s part of it,” he said. “I’m going to (bleeping) defeat that place and get out of there alive this year. Knock on wood. I’m just more excited than anything.”
Lux understandably was emotional the day after his injury last year and he regularly admitted how challenging the rehab process was throughout the season.
He nevertheless continued to make steady progress and spent the offseason working out at Dodger Stadium. Lux was cleared for full activities at the start of Dodgers Spring Training and has replaced a bulky brace with a right knee sleeve.
Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux to build chemistry
In addition to Lux needing to find his own rhythm with getting back on the field, he’ll also have to develop a chemistry with new double-play partner Mookie Betts.
Heading into his first season as the Dodgers’ starting second baseman, Betts expressed confidence he would quickly develop a strong rapport with Lux because of their relationship off the field.
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