Dodgers Shortstop Gavin Lux ‘Fully Cleared’ For All Baseball Activities
Gavin Lux is set to be the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop in 2024, getting the opportunity a year later than he initially thought.
Last year, Lux opened camp as the starting shortstop following the departure of Trea Turner to the Philadelphia Phillies, but one bad step in spring training cost him his 2023 season.
Now, Lux is fully healed from his torn ACL, and is entering camp fully cleared for all baseball activities, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com.
“Lux is one of a handful of position players who arrived at Camelback Ranch a week early for workouts. The 26-year-old met with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday and was fully cleared for all baseball activities. Lux will also not have to wear the knee brace he has been sporting all offseason.”
Via MLB.com
On Tuesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave another update on Lux. While he said Lux was not yet 100 percent, he said he won’t have any limitations.
“No, I don’t think so,” Roberts said. “I think the 100 percent is more of, up to top speed. I think health-wise, passing strength tests, he’s right where he needs to be. But you’ve still got to get your playing legs under you. I don’t see limitations. I think there’s more of a managing of workload. That’s probably what it is.”
Via Orange County Register
Managing Lux’s workload would make a ton of sense as he’s not only coming off a torn ACL, but he’s also only played 502.1 innings at shortstop in his MLB career.
While Lux came up through the Dodgers system as a shortstop, he was forced to play second base due to Corey Seager, and later Turner.
Now, Lux has no one blocking his path, and he’ll have the opportunity to prove he can be the long-term answer for the Dodgers at shortstop.
Lux confirmed at DodgerFest that he would be ready for the start of the season, and doesn’t think it’ll take long to get his feet under him this spring.
He’ll likely bat in the back of the Dodgers’ lineup — similar to what he did in 2022 — and is poised to have a big season as the table setter for Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
