GLENDALE, Ariz. — With simply two weeks to go earlier than the Opening Collection in Seoul, South Korea, in opposition to the Padres, the Dodgers have made a change at shortstop.
All through the winter and into camp, the Dodgers had been leaning on Gavin Lux to deal with the majority of the tasks at shortstop. However as Lux’s throwing woes continued this spring, the Dodgers at the moment are giving the keys to the place to Mookie Betts, who got here into the season because the membership’s beginning second baseman.
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned the transfer to have the 2023 Nationwide League Most Beneficial Participant runner-up at shortstop is “everlasting, for now.” Betts is the beginning shortstop within the Dodgers’ Cactus League sport on Friday, and he’s anticipated to play 4 extra video games on the place earlier than flying out to South Korea.
“Simply to make this transfer proper now it’s one thing that the whole group feels is the best factor to do to offer us the perfect likelihood to stop runs and to win baseball video games,” Roberts mentioned Friday. “I believe that, particular to Gavin, it provides him a chance to get to the opposite aspect of the diamond and — he’s really performed extra second base than shortstop in the previous few years. So to get him again over there, shorten the throw, it needs to be much less of a toll on his physique total and provides him a chance to have success.”
The choice to maneuver Betts to shortstop was not one the group had thought of as they got here into camp this spring. However after watching Lux wrestle in sport conditions this spring, the considerations about whether or not he might deal with the calls for of the place continued to develop.
Even after Lux dedicated two errors on the primary two alternatives this spring, the Dodgers had been prepared to chalk it up as rust for the previous high prospect. In spite of everything, Lux had missed the whole 2023 season as a result of main proper knee surgical procedure to restore a torn ACL and LCL. However these considerations solely grew on Wednesday as Lux’s throwing woes had been on full show.
Lux had a throwing error, but additionally had a pair of bouncing throws that had been scooped by first baseman Freddie Freeman. In 2019, Lux additionally struggled with throwing throughout the diamond. Making this transfer earlier this spring, the Dodgers consider will assist Lux play free and never have an effect on his offense, which has regarded stable in Cactus League play.
“To actually care concerning the participant and his well-being and success mentally, emotionally and bodily, is a part of the job,” Roberts mentioned. “And then you definately have a look at it on the larger scale so far as the workforce and what provides the workforce the perfect likelihood — and we’re talking particularly to protection — to stop runs.”
Roberts mentioned the dialog with Lux and Betts was had on Thursday and each gamers signed off on the choice, although the Dodgers’ supervisor did admit there was some pure disappointment from Lux, who ready all offseason because the workforce’s shortstop.
The Dodgers might’ve additionally gone with Miguel Rojas as their shortstop, however that will’ve been a big downgrade offensively. Transferring Betts to quick, which he performed 16 video games on the place final season, permits the Dodgers to maintain each Betts and Lux within the lineup, which they consider is their finest alignment. Lux, after all, additionally served because the workforce’s beginning second baseman in 2022.
Roberts additionally clarified that Betts at shortstop isn’t a platoon scenario. Betts would be the shortstop most nights, whereas Lux will likely be at second base in opposition to right-handed pitching. It’s a drastic change, particularly at this level within the spring, however one the Dodgers consider is critical in an effort to be at their peak this season.
“That is one thing that I do know he didn’t count on, we didn’t count on, however he’s enthusiastic about it,” Roberts mentioned, when requested how Betts obtained the information. “And there are occasions he’s gonna kick to second base. And I used to be very clear that could be a risk at instances, however to wrap his head round shortstop.”
