To say that the season-ending right knee injury to 25-year-old (almost) new Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux is “heartbreaking” (as many are calling it) is being exceptionally kind. The truth of the matter is that it is flat out gut-wrenching.

Fortunately, the Dodgers have just-turned-34-year-old (on February 24) nine-year MLB veteran utility infielder / outfielder Miguel Rojas, who has 719 MLB games of experience in the six hole, as Lux’s primary replacement, with 32-year-old also nine-year MLB veteran utility infielder / outfielder Chris Taylor, who has 259 MLB games under his belt at the position, to also occasionally slot into the position.

As long as were talking ‘fortunately’ (at a time when Dodgers fans so desperately need it), they were also treated to a sensational Spring Training 2023 debut by 26-year-old / 2022 ERA Champion (2.16) left-hander Julio Urías just one painful day after Lux’s painful injury.

Even though the popular Culiacan, Mexico native was tagged with the Dodgers eventual 7-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ in his 2.2-inning Spring Training debut on Tuesday afternoon, Urías allowed only one run on two hits – both singles – while striking out four of the ten Reds batters he faced, doing so on 19 total pitches, of which 15 were strikes (that’s not a typo).

“For the first one it felt really good, I felt really good out there,” Urías told reporters postgame through an interpreter. “I felt like I was attacking the zone, attacking the strike zone, and making good pitches.”

As Dodgers fans know, Urías is scheduled to pitch for Team Mexico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. When asked if he has changed his preparation for that event this Spring, his answer was very positive and not at all surprising.

“I think it’s been the same,” Urías answered. “Obviously, I have to work a little bit to get ready for the Classic, but it’s all been the same. Just a lot of work, a lot of emphasis on getting ready for that, for those games. Just trying to get better every day. That’s all I’ve been doing, just trying to get better.”

Judging by his Spring Training debut on Tuesday afternoon, he has indeed gotten better.

Thanks, Julio. We needed that!

Play Ball!

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