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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 have 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 are actually 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 Invaluable Participant runner-up at shortstop is “everlasting, for now.” Betts was 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 all the group feels is the best factor to do to present us one of the best probability 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 facet of the diamond and — he’s truly performed extra second base than shortstop in the previous couple of years. So to get him again over there, shorten the throw, it needs to be much less of a toll on his physique general and provides him a chance to have success.”
The choice to maneuver Betts to shortstop was not one the group had thought-about 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 may 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 have been prepared to chalk it up as rust for the previous prime prospect. In spite of everything, Lux had missed all the 2023 season because of major right knee surgery to restore a torn ACL and LCL. However these considerations solely grew on Wednesday as Lux’s throwing woes have been on full show.
Lux had a throwing error, but additionally had a pair of bouncing throws that have 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 appeared stable in Cactus League play.
“To essentially care in regards to the participant and his well-being and success mentally, emotionally and bodily, is a part of the job,” Roberts mentioned. “And then you definitely take a look at it on the larger scale so far as the staff and what provides the staff one of the best probability — 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 staff’s shortstop.
“The dialog was cool,” mentioned Betts, who referred to as Lux after the assembly with Roberts. “We’re all on the identical web page right here. We don’t care what occurs. We simply need to win. We don’t care how we actually get there. A very powerful factor is profitable. As for me, I don’t care. I genuinely don’t care. I’ve mentioned this 1,000,000 instances. I simply need to win. You may put me wherever. So long as I’m on the diamond, I’m going to do one of the best I can do and we’ll see what occurs after that.”
The Dodgers may’ve additionally gone with Miguel Rojas as their shortstop, however that may’ve been a major downgrade offensively. Transferring Betts to brief, 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 greatest alignment. Lux, after all, additionally served because the staff’s beginning second baseman in 2022.
Roberts additionally clarified that Betts at shortstop isn’t a platoon state of affairs. Betts would be the shortstop most nights, whereas Lux can 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 with a purpose to be at their peak this season.
“It’s positively a change. Nevertheless it’s enjoyable, too,” Betts mentioned. “You may’t make it extra stress. It’s at all times quite a lot of stress — particularly going and being a Dodger, it’s quite a lot of stress. So being a Dodger, being the shortstop for the Dodgers, is quite a lot of stress. However I prefer it.”
