The Los Angeles Dodgers are shifting Mookie Betts over to shortstop, manager Dave Roberts said Friday, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.
Gavin Lux will slide over to second base after struggling defensively at shortstop so far this spring.
"Permanent, for now," Roberts said of the decision.
Dave Roberts said the decision was made to enter the season with Mookie Betts at SS and Gavin Lux at 2B to relieve any pressure Lux is feeling on defense and yet keep his bat in the lineup. Conversation was had with all concerned parties Thursday
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 8, 2024
Betts played 12 games for the Dodgers at shortstop last season and was expected to begin the year as the everyday second baseman.
"Nothing's changed, other than your view to home plate," Betts said of a conversation he had with Lux about the switch, according to Ardaya. "We're still up the middle together. We still are doing this thing together. So it doesn't really matter."
Lux ranked in the 80th percentile in Statcast's outs above average in 2022 when he made 102 appearances at second base. He missed the entire 2023 campaign after tearing his right ACL last spring.
