Dodgers Dave Roberts Provides Updates on Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Lux and More

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts met with Kirsten Watson and other media in the visitors’ dugout at Miami’s loanDepot park prior to Friday’s series opener with the Marlins. Doc answered questions about Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Lux, and more.

Dave Roberts provides updates on Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Lux and more ahead of today's matchup with the #Marlins. #AlwaysLA pic.twitter.com/Keo5OM0wYM

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— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 26, 2022

Update on Lux’s neck issue

Roberts was asked how Gavin Lux is feeling, and his answer seemed promising.

“Better today. From what I understand, he’s going to swing the bat today (Friday) in the cage and if that goes well, he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.”

Friday was the third straight game Lux has missed after being a late scratch before Tuesday’s game against Milwaukee.

Kershaw still on track

Roberts was also asked if everything was “still on track” for Clayton Kershaw to throw another simulated game on Saturday. He answered with kind of a tone that was worrisome at first, until you realize he was just cracking a little joke about the timezone difference.

“Yeah, it’s a little early for him, I think it’s going to be about 1:30 [in the afternoon], in our early slot. But yeah, four innings tomorrow.”

How would Kershaw line up to make a big-league start after that?

“Well, it’s either the option of regular [rest], which would be Thursday [against the Mets in New York], or an extra day, which would be Friday [at home against the Padres]. We haven’t decide on which yet, but it’s probably going to be one of those two.”

Roberts said the travel considerations don’t come into play in the decision because their charter flights are comfortable enough for him to be fine pitching before or after the cross-country flight.

Days off for Freddie and Trea?

Doc was asked about “getting guys some rest” in terms of preparing for October, and while neither Kirsten nor Doc specifically mentioned Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner, who have both started every game this season, they were clearly in the minds of the asker and the answerer.

“I think in the next couple weeks, I’ll start having some conversations with players as far as taking a day here or there. Once we get to September, we’re going to have two more players, one position player and one pitcher, so that can enhance the roster and also can cut back a little bit. But in the next couple weeks we’ll start having some more conversations.”

Future plans for Vargas?

Roberts was asked about the plans for Miguel Vargas, and he gave some hints at Vargas’s positional future, at least in the short-term.

“Vargy is in OKC, he’s playing great baseball. He’s playing a lot of left field. I think he’s playing some third base, some second base. He showed really well here with us. We haven’t made a decision come September 1, but he’s definitely in the conversation.”

Other than confirming the name of Edwin Rios, Roberts didn’t say who else is in that conversation other than “various players.”

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