SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 01: Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with manager Dave Roberts #30 after a win against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 01, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Glendale, Ariz. — The sun shone brightly at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday, but there was certainly a cloud hanging over the Los Angeles Dodgers, even under the blue Arizona sky.
Less than 24 hours after watching their teammate Gavin Lux go down awkwardly running to third base, the Dodgers had a game to play against the Cincinnati Reds.
With the news that Lux was lost for the season with an ACL injury, Tuesday’s game took on perhaps a bit more importance than a normal spring training contest played on the last day of February.
After all, these Dodgers suddenly now had to see how to navigate forward without Lux, projected to be their Opening Day shortstop.
Dodgers spring training: Miguel Rojas now in the spotlight with Gavin Lux injury
Part of that movement forward includes Miguel Rojas, acquired this winter in a trade with the Miami Marlins. The 34-year-old Rojas was supposed to be a complementary piece for the Dodgers, but now he could well end up with the bulk of the innings at shortstop for Los Angeles.
The injury also means that Chris Taylor and even Mookie Betts could see more time in the infield this season, Roberts told reporters on Tuesday, showing the Dodgers have internal options to fill the void left by Lux.
Rojas believes he is ready for the task, and the Dodgers need him to be in order to overcome the loss of Lux.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Luxy. But if that means me playing shortstop, that’s what I need to do. I prepared for this opportunity. I need to be ready for it,” Rojas said.