Dodgers' Gavin Lux leaves game with hamstring injury

Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux left Sunday’s 6-5 loss to the Rockies with a hamstring injury. Lux immediately grabbed his left hamstring area while breaking out of the batter’s box on a ground ball in the ninth inning, and he was replaced at shortstop in the bottom half of the frame. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts described the injury to reporters (including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) as a “cramp, mild strain-ish” type of problem, and Lux will likely miss at least a few games while team trainers and doctors perform tests.

Should the injured list be required for Lux, it will create another hole in a Dodgers roster that hasn’t really been entirely healthy at any point this season. Pitching injuries have been the larger issue for the defending World Series champions, but several notable position players have missed time, including Corey Seager’s ongoing absence due to a broken hand. (Lux himself had a minimal 10-game IL stint due to wrist soreness back in April.)

Lux began the season as the Dodgers’ regular second baseman but took over as the primary shortstop when Seager was sidelined. Seager is playing simulated games and might be pretty close to returning, but until he actually does get back, Chris Taylor will likely be the top option at shortstop if Lux is also out.

One of baseball’s top prospects during his time in the L.A. farm system, Lux has yet to really deliver on that high potential, although he has played only 124 big league games from 2019-21. Lux posted a .655 OPS over 151 PA in his first two seasons and appeared in only one game during the Dodgers’ postseason run last fall. Coming into this season with a starting gig, Lux has hit .227/.307/.349 with six home runs over 313 plate appearances. There is some element of bad luck at play, considering Lux’s .294 wOBA is well below his .320 xwOBA, but even that latter statistic is below average.