Mookie Betts, regular shortstop?
That appears to be the Dodgers’ future plan for the start of the 2024 season.
With infielder Gavin Lux struggling defensively this spring training, Los Angeles plans to convert Betts to shortstop and place Lux at second base.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Arizona on Friday that the change is “permanent for now.”
“Making this move now is what our entire organization feels is the right thing to do to prevent runs and give us the best chance to win baseball games,” Roberts said, according to the Associated Press.
Lux was scheduled to take over shortstop duties in 2023, but he tore his ACL while playing in the Cactus League and missed the entire regular season.
The 26-year-old returned to the position this spring, but things quickly went awry as he committed two errors in just 10 innings and struggled to throw to first base.
He will now return to second base, where he played most of the 22 games.
“I think for Gavin, it gives him an opportunity to get to the other side of the diamond,” Roberts said. “So to get him back there, shortening his throws should put less stress on his entire body and give him a chance to be successful.”
Betts will now take over the shortstop position, where he played in 16 games last season.
However, the 2018 American League MVP admitted that he hasn’t been a full-time shortstop for a long time.
When asked when was the last time he primarily played shortstop, Betts said, “Probably my senior year in high school.”
However, the initial returns were not large because the sample size was very small.
According to “The Athletic”In Friday’s game against the Reds, which was canceled due to inclement weather, Betts missed a ground ball he tried to hit with a backhand, and Lux missed a double play after bouncing a throw to first base.
The Dodgers are 11 days away from the start of the season in South Korea, and the last thing a team with high expectations after a frenzied, expensive offseason is asked about key middle infield defense. .
