Dodgers announce SS Gavin Lux expected to miss entire 2023 season due to torn ACL

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Tuesday some news that no one wanted to hear: Shortstop Gavin Lux has a torn ACL and is expected to miss the entire 2023 season.

The injury happened during Monday's spring training game against the San Diego Padres. Lux was running from second to third but had to duck to avoid a baseball thrown in his direction. He tripped and planted one of his legs awkwardly before tumbling into third base and coming up lame. He was carted off the field and later told Roberts he heard something pop in his knee.

Lux, 25, was expected to take over at shortstop full-time this season after spending the past several years moving around the diamond. He has played mostly second base in his four seasons in the majors, but with Corey Seager (signed with the Texas Rangers before the 2022 season) and Trea Turner (signed with the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2023 season) both gone, shortstop was to be Lux's new primary position.

Now the Dodgers are left with a hole where they didn't expect one. They signed Miguel Rojas in the offseason, and his skill at shortstop will absolutely come in handy to replace Lux. Roberts also told the media that Chris Taylor will play more shortstop, and Mookie Betts will play more second base to fill the gaps.

This is a crushing blow to the Dodgers, but especially to Lux, who is scheduled for surgery March 7.