Gavin Lux Tears ACL, Dodgers' Starting Lineup Already a Mess
L.A.'s starting shortstop will miss the entire season.
Well, woof.
The Dodgers went two whole spring training games without significant injuries or international incidents. It was a blessed weekend that we all took for granted, because in the sixth inning of game three, disaster struck.
If you’re too squeamish to watch the above video, basically, Gavin Lux was standing on second base when a routine ground ball was hit to third. Since there was a runner behind him on first base, Lux broke for third. And when the Padres’ third baseman charged to throw the ball to second to try to begin a double play, Lux tried to get out of the way to avoid being hit by the ball. It’s a routine, boring, play that happens at least a few times a game and that no one ever notices.
Except when Lux tried to dodge the ball, his right leg hit the ground awkwardly, and instead of bending front-to-back, his knee curved to the right and popped. He hit the dirt and was carted off, writhing in obvious pain.
Both Lux’s and the Dodgers’ greatest fears were confirmed when an MRI showed a torn right ACL and additional damage to his LCL. The club announced this morning that he will be out for the season.
It’s hard to even begin to explain what a loss this is to the Dodgers’ lineup. While it’s true that it would hurt L.A. worse to lose future Hall of Famers Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman—or even a steadier offensive producer such as infielder Max Muncy—the Dodgers are uniquely screwed right now because they opted out of the recent free-agent bonanza on superstar shortstops that took place over the last few MLB offseasons.
The Dodgers’ last three shortstops? Manny Machado, Corey Seager and Trea Turner. They had a chance to sign any of those three long-term and did not.
Seager received a 10-year, $325 million contract from the Rangers in 2021.
Turner earned an 11-year, $300 million deal from the Phillies in 2022.
And today, Machado signed an 11-year, $350 million extension with the Padres.
That Manny Machado’s contract extension press conference was carried live on MLB Network with the blaring red GAVIN LUX TEARS ACL, OUT FOR SEASON chyron running directly under it was particularly brutal for Dodger faithful.
So now we find ourselves in the year of our Lord 2023, and the Dodgers’ Opening Day shortstop is projected to be….Miguel Rojas.
How did we get here?
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Well, with all due respect to Rojas’ friends and family, many things had to go wrong! First, the Dodgers were never really into signing Machado long-term because