The Los Angeles Dodgers will need a new shortstop for the 2023 season after seeing expected starter Gavin Lux going down with an ACL injury earlier this week. Lux apparently suffered the injury after stumbling during a spring training game against the San Diego Padres.
Lux is set to undergo ACL surgery next Tuesday, according to the LA Times, and will miss the entire 2023 campaign while recovering.
“It’s heartbreaking, you know,” emotional Lux said. “The hardest part is just not being able to be on the field.”
Lux played 129 games for the Dodgers last season, hitting a career-high .276 with six home runs and 42 RBIs. He also led the National League in triples with seven.
Being without Lux for the entire next season is bad news for the Dodgers, especially considering their depth in the position. With All-Star Trea Turner leaving in free agency, the Dodgers would have to be creative and deploy Miguel Rojas or Chris Taylor if they want to go the “in-house” route.
However, the most likely outcome is that the Dodgers will get to work and try to find their new shortstop somewhere else. With the free agent market already depleted, expect the Dodgers to pursue a trade for St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul DeJong or the New York Yankees’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
