Dodgers rising star has become 'best version' of self, says manager

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

Los Angeles' offense is amazing on paper, but injuries and ill-timed slumps have made the Dodgers bats less effective in practice. Mookie Betts only recently returned from injury. Shohei Ohtani has been in a low-key rut during August, hitting .172 (albeit with six homers).

Right now, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts is thanking the universe for Gavin Lux, whose production has lately hidden some of the Dodgers' concerning offensive struggles.

Watching Dodgers games, it seems like Lux is always on base, which is impressive for a guy who had a torn knee last year. Roberts even believes Lux is playing the best baseball of his life, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

"(Lux) hadn’t played baseball in a calendar year. You start to wonder if I can ever hit again," Roberts said this week, per Plunkett. "But to his credit, he just kept grinding and worked his way through it. I think this is the best version of Gavin Lux I’ve seen."

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

Lux deserves the love and praise he's getting right now. Matt Borelli of Dodger Blue published a report on Saturday focusing on Lux's coming out party this season.

"Gavin Lux has emerged as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ most productive bats in the second half after bouncing back from a rough start to his season," Borelli said.

"Since the All-Star break, the 26-year-old is hitting .370/.441/.654 with eight doubles, five home runs and 19 RBI in 93 plate appearances across 26 games (23 starts)."

"Lux struggled out of the gate this season in what is his first big league action since 2022 after missing all of last year due to a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee."

"Lux’s emergence has been all the more imperative as the Dodgers dealt with a rash of injuries that included Mookie Betts missing an extended period."

The most surefire sign of how well Lux is playing, and how pleased Roberts is with the second baseman?

The Dodgers have moved Betts to right field since the former MVP's return to allow for Lux to stay in the lineup every day.

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