GLENDALE, Ariz. — With just two weeks left in the series opener in Seoul, South Korea, the Dodgers made a short change against the Padres.
During the offseason and into camp, the Dodgers leaned on Gavin Lukes to handle most of the responsibilities at shortstop. But as Lux’s pitching woes continued this spring, the Dodgers are now handing the keys to Mookie Betts, who entered the season as the club’s second baseman.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the move to become the shortstop for the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player is “permanent for now.” Betts started at shortstop in the Dodgers’ Cactus League game on Friday and is expected to play four more games before flying to South Korea.
“To make this move now is something the entire organization feels is the right thing to do to protect the run and give baseball the best chance to win games,” Roberts said Friday. I think it just gives Gavin a chance to get to the other side of the diamond and — the last few years he’s played second base instead of shortstop. So to get him back there, he needs to shorten the throw, do less damage to his body overall and give him a chance to have success.
The decision to move Homes to shortstop wasn’t what the organization had in mind as they entered camp this spring. But after watching Lux struggle in game situations this spring, concerns grew about whether he could handle the demands of the position.
Even after Lux made two errors in his first two chances this spring, the Dodgers were willing to call it rust for the former top prospect. After all, Lux missed the entire 2023 season due to major right knee surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL. But those concerns only grew on Wednesday as the woes of Lux’s hurling became fully apparent.
Lux had a throwing error, but first baseman Freddie Freeman had a pair of hits. In the year In 2019, Lux also struggled with dropping the diamond. Making this move earlier this spring, the Dodgers believe it will help Lux play freely and not impact the offense, which has looked strong in Cactus League play.
“It’s part of the job to really care about the player and his safety and success mentally, emotionally and physically,” Roberts said. “Then they look at what gives the team and the team the best opportunity at large — and we’re talking specifically about the defense — to prevent runs.”
Roberts said discussions with Lux and Betts took place Thursday and both players signed off on the decision, though Dodgers manager Lux, who has been the team’s shortstop all off, admitted there was some natural frustration.
“The conversation was good,” said Betts, who called Lux after meeting with Roberts. “We are all on the same page here. We don’t care what happens. We just want to win. We don’t care how we got there. The most important thing is to win. But I don’t care. I really don’t care. I’ve said this a million times. I just want to win. You can put me anywhere. As long as I’m on the diamond I’ll do everything I can and then we’ll see what happens.
The Dodgers could also go with Miguel Rojas as shortstop, but that would be a significant downgrade offensively. Moving Homes, who played 16 games last season, to shortstop would allow the Dodgers to keep both Homes and Lux in the lineup, which they believe is their best lineup. In fact, Lux served as the team’s starting second baseman in 2022.
Roberts explained that Betts at shortstop is not a platoon situation. Betts will be the shortstop most nights, while Lux will be the right-handed pitcher at second base. It’s a tough change, especially this spring, but the Dodgers believe it’s necessary to reach the top this season.
“It’s definitely a change. But it’s also fun,” Betts said. “You can’t put more pressure on it. It’s always a lot of pressure — especially going and being a Dodger. So being a Dodger, being a shortstop for the Dodgers is a lot of pressure. But I love him.”