The dream of a shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers ended in vain in an exhibition game. It has become a spring of tears for Gavin Lux (26) of the Dodgers.
The US media, including ‘MLB.com’, reported the news of Lux’s season out on the 1st (hereafter Korean time). His season was ruled out as he underwent surgery for ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. The surgery will be performed on the 8th and will be supervised by Dodgers attending physician Dr. Neil Elatrache.
In an exhibition game against the San Diego Padres on the 28th, Lux ducked to avoid third baseman Janzen Witt’s third base throw while running from second base to third base in the sixth inning. In the process, he twisted his right knee while making a turn. Grabbing his knee and complaining of pain, Lux rode the cart out of the arena, and a checkup revealed the worst was not to be avoided.
In an interview with local media such as ‘MLB.com’, Lux said, “My heart hurts. He spent a lot of time and effort in the meantime and he couldn’t be on the pitch. It’s really hard,” she said, wiping away tears. “Being a shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers is every baseball player’s dream,” Lux said. Not being able to do that for at least a year is the hardest part,” he said. “Almost everyone came up to me and hugged me. You can see how good the people in this clubhouse are. Dodgers fans have been cheering since last night. I am really grateful,” he expressed his gratitude to his teammates and fans who comforted him.
Lux has long dreamed of becoming the starting shortstop for the Dodgers. Lux, who was nominated by the Dodgers with the 20th overall pick in the first round in the 2016 draft, was raised in the minor leagues as a shortstop, but after being called up to the big leagues in 2019, he mainly played second base and took on the outfield. 안전놀이터
Lux’s dream has been put on hold as there are top shortstops such as Corey Seager (Texas) and Trey Turner (Philadelphia). However, after Seager and Turner left the Dodgers as free agents last winter, Lux finally had a chance. The Dodgers traded shortstop Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins, but dropped Lux as their starting shortstop.
Lux took this as a great motivation, saying, “I’m excited to be back as the shortstop I’ve been playing since I was a kid.” Over the winter, he ate 4,500 calories a day and gained about 20 pounds (9 kg). He had a chance to live out his dream as a big shot shortstop, but his dream was shattered after three exhibition games. Because he is such a big injury, it is unclear whether he will be able to recover his athletic ability even if he returns after a year of rehabilitation.
The Dodgers also had an emergency. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced plans to use Rojas, who was planned as an all-weather back-up in the infield, as the starting shortstop, and to increase the participation rate of outfielder Mookie Betts at the second baseman position. “It’s painful for a young player who has worked hard to become the Dodgers’ starting shortstop,” Rojas said. It is a pity that Lux, who is a large part of this team, has to go through.”
