Former Dodger Manny Machado Sends Good Wishes to Gavin Lux For 2024 Season

Gavin Lux and Manny Machado never really crossed paths in the Dodgers’ organization.

Lux was the team’s first-round draft pick out of high school in 2016. During the relatively brief time Machado was playing shortstop for the Dodgers in 2018, Lux was working his way up from the advanced Class-A level to Double-A, far from the bright lights of the big leagues.

The two did cross paths in the Peoria Sports Complex parking lot Thursday, when the Dodgers thumped the Padres 14-1 in the Cactus League opener for both teams.

Machado, now the Padres’ starting third baseman, and Lux, the Dodgers’ starting shortstop, found themselves in a similar place in a non-literal sense too.

Lux, 26, missed all of last season with torn ligaments in his knee, an injury he coincidentally suffered last year in spring training at the same ballpark. Thursday was his first competitive game since the grisly baserunning maneuver which cost him all of 2023.

Machado, 31, spent all of the last offseason rehabbing from right elbow surgery, but now appears to be on track to play for the Padres on Opening Day in Seoul, South Korea. His elbow might even be healed in time for him to play third base, rather than serve as the Padres’ designated hitter, on March 20-21.

Their encounter was less a case of “game recognize game” and more a case of “rehab recognize rehab.” Players universally loathe the tedious process of returning from major injuries, but understand it as a necessary evil that comes with their job.

It’s a useful reminder that Machado and Lux might be on opposite sides of the field now, and in March when the regular season begins, but can share a friendly moment off the field too.

Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

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