The Dodgers’ rising star has become the “best version of himself,” says the manager

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had an unhealthy season, but one of their rising stars has fully recovered from a serious injury and developed into the best player he has ever been.

Los Angeles’ offense is amazing on paper, but injuries and poor performance slumps have made the Dodgers’ hitting less effective in practice. Mookie Betts only recently returned from injury. Shohei Ohtani went through a quiet stretch in August, hitting just .172 (albeit with six home runs).

Right now, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts is thanking the universe for Gavin Lux, whose recent performance has masked some of the Dodgers’ troubling offensive issues.

When watching Dodgers games, it seems like Lux is always on base, which is impressive for a guy who tore his knee last year. In fact, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Roberts believes Lux is playing the best baseball of his life.

“(Lux) hadn’t played baseball in a year. It makes you wonder if I’ll ever be able to hit again,” Roberts said this week, according to Plunkett. “But to his credit, he just kept going and battled through it. I think that’s the best version of Gavin Lux I’ve ever seen.”

Lux was selected by Los Angeles with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 draft, and his recent play represents the fulfillment of the potential the Dodgers have believed in for years.

Lux deserves the love and praise he’s getting right now. Dodger Blue’s Matt Borelli posted a report on Saturday about Lux’s coming out party this season.

“Gavin Lux has emerged as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ most productive hitters in the second half after rebounding from a rocky start to the season,” Borelli said.

“Since the All-Star break, the 26-year-old has a batting average of .370/.441/.654 with eight doubles, five home runs and 19 RBI in 93 plate appearances in 26 games (23 starts).”

“Lux had a difficult start this season in his first Major League appearance since 2022 after missing all of last year with a torn ACL and cruciate ligament in his right knee.”

“Lux’s appearance was all the more important as the Dodgers were battling a number of injuries, including Mookie Betts, who was out for an extended period.”

The surest sign of how well Lux is playing and how satisfied Roberts is with the second baseman?

The Dodgers have moved Betts to right field since the former MVP’s return so that Lux can remain in the lineup every day.

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