While Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are the top storylines of Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training, so too is Gavin Lux looking to bounce back after missing last season because of a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee.
Lux was poised to head into the 2023 season as the Dodgers starting shortstop, an opportunity he relished. The knee injury and subsequent surgery instead amounted to a lost year and long rehab process.
Lux spent much of the offseason working out at Dodger Stadium and was cleared for all activities as players began reporting to Camelback Ranch.
The 26-year-old was among the position players who participated in live batting practice during the Dodgers’ workout on Thursday morning, and he hit an impressive home run that drew an audible reaction from those watching.
Wow, Gavin. 😲 pic.twitter.com/LXhppYseYm
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 15, 2024
According to multiple reports, Lux hit his home run off Daniel Hudson. The veteran relief pitcher is back with the Dodgers after having his team option for 2024 declined before re-signing on a Minor League contract. Like Lux, Hudson is also looking to bounce back from an injury-riddled year.
While Hudson will need to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster, the Dodgers again are planning on having Lux be their starting shortstop.
It’s the position he was drafted at in 2016 but not one Lux has played for the Dodgers on a full-time basis in parts of four seasons thus far.
Lux’s biggest opportunity at shortstop came during the 2021 season, when Corey Seager missed time due a fracture in his right hand. But Seager ultimately returned and Lux’s time at second base came to an end when the Dodgers acquired Trea Turner alongside Max Scherzer at the trade deadline.
Gavin Lux eager to be in Dodgers lineup
For all of the mental and physical hurdles that were cleared during extensive offseason workouts, Lux acknowledged needing to get more peace of mind by playing in Cactus League games.
“That’s the final step, hit a ball in the corner, go home to third,” he said during DodgerFest. “That’s the last box I feel like I need to check off, and there’s only one way to do that, which is in a Spring Training game.
“Good thing we’ve got 25 of them or whatever it is.”
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