The Los Angeles Dodgers will opt to move Mookie Betts permanently to shortstop and Gavin Lux to second base at the start of the season, according to manager Dave Roberts.
Gavin Lux is recovering from cruciate ligament surgery on his knee and he has not looked good during the Spring Training games. That is why Roberts will choose to move the multifunctional Betts to shortstop, a position that he has played little in his career.
“Just making this move now is something the entire organization believes is the right thing to do.” to give ourselves the best opportunity to avoid runs and win baseball games,” Roberts said Friday.
How many games does Mookie Betts have at shortstop in his career?
Mookie Betts has played 14 games in his entire career at shortstop. The Dodgers utility man He was there in several meetings in 2023.
These are his numbers in that position: .304 batting average, 1.039 OPS, 3 home runs, 9 RBIs, 8 doubles, 14 hits and 10 runs scored.
Dave Roberts highlighted that this move is for Gavin to keep him on the field. Venezuelan Miguel Rojas was another option at shortstop and who played a lot during 2023.
“I think, specifically for Gavin, it gives him a chance to get to the other side of the diamond and he’s actually played more second base than shortstop the last few years. So, getting him back there, shortening the pitch, should be less of a cost to his body overall and give him a chance to be successful,” the manager commented.
Dave Roberts said he spoke to both players before making the decision and they agreed. The manager explained that Lux was a little disappointed because he wanted to return to shortstop.
“Really care about the player and their mental, emotional well-being and success and physical is part of the job,” Roberts said. “And then you look at it on a larger scale as far as the team and what gives the team the best opportunity, and we’re talking specifically about defense, to prevent runs.”
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