CHICAGO — A .172 average is not the start Gavin Lux envisioned. But even that beats sitting and watching everyone else play for a year.
“Honestly, I feel fine. I’ve had some bad luck – like yesterday, prime example,” Lux said, referring to an outstanding defensive play by Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner who robbed him of a hit during Friday’s game. “I’ve had some unfortunate calls where I feel like I’m getting buried in the count a little bit.
“But honestly, 30 at-bats in, I didn’t expect to hit .500 and everything. But I feel like the actual quality of the at-bats has been fine. I’ve been seeing the ball good. I don’t feel sped up. So I feel like overall it’s good. And I’ve kind of always been a slow starter anyways, so I’ll just keep building on it, try to build momentum and go from there.”
After missing an entire season following his devastating knee injury in spring 2023, a slow start probably shouldn’t be surprising. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wouldn’t say he expected this. He’s just trying to “kind of understand that baseball is hard” – particularly when you haven’t faced big-league pitchers in a year.
“Gavin is fine. I still appreciate that it’s been a whole year since he has played baseball, Major League Baseball,” Roberts said. “My message to Gavin is, I want you to control the strike zone like you do well, and use the big part of the field. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Lux said his knee feels fine though his body is still adjusting to “playing nine innings and the travel and everything again.”
But Lux has noticed one change in his swing.
“Some days I look at video and I say, ‘Man, I’m a lot taller and stiff-legged on my landing than I used to be.’” said Lux, whose lead leg in his swing, his right, is the one he injured last spring. “
“Right now, I’m kind of reaching with my front leg and landing stiff and upright. Usually when I’m good, I’m landing and I’m in more of almost a basketball, guarding position. I’ve been working on that the last few days. It’s something I’ve got to stay on top of. I probably should have noticed that sooner.”
That he has adjustments to make early in his comeback season is just part of returning to play, Lux acknowledged.
“Obviously I wish my first 30 at-bats I got 10 hits. But like I said, I didn’t expect there to be no hiccups at all or to feel good every single day,” he said. “Facing big-league pitching is already tough as (expletive). Just getting back into it, I think we’ll build some momentum.”
MAKING MOVES
The Dodgers made a series of moves Saturday aimed at shoring up their bullpen depth.
They acquired right-hander Connor Brogdon from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor-league left-hander Benony Robles.
Brogdon, 29, had a 3.88 ERA in parts of five seasons with the Phillies. He started this season by giving up seven runs on three hits (two home runs) and six walks in just two innings and was designated for assignment by the Phillies earlier this week.
Brogdon is out of minor-league options and is expected to join the Dodgers in the next day or two.
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Also, right-hander Gus Varland was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Varland retired the only batter he faced during one of the games in Seoul then joined OKC, where he was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in three appearances.
To make room for Varland, the Dodgers designated right-hander Dinelson Lamet for assignment. Lamet made three appearances for the Dodgers and earned his first career save earlier this week.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Gavin Stone, 0-0, 5.40 ERA) at Cubs (LHP Shota Imanaga, 1-0, 0.00 ERA), 11:20 a.m. PT Sunday, SportsNet LA, 570 AM
