Dodgers News: Dodgers General Manager Blames Rookie’s Struggles on Hand Injury
Miguel Vargas should have a better season in 2024.
Entering the season, hopes were high around the Dodgers organization for how rookie infielder Miguel Vargas would perform.
After consecutive seasons batting above .300 in the minor leagues, all signs pointed to the 23-year-old being ready to play in the big leagues. His 18 appearances in 2022 weren’t out of this world, but they were promising.
Vargas entered the 2023 season as the Dodgers’ presumed starter at second base but struggled during the first three months of the season while remaining a consistent starter. In July, Vargas was essentially shut down in the major leagues and sent back to the minors.
On the season, Vargas held a .195 batting average and added just 7 home runs. Throughout the season, manager Dave Roberts reaffirmed his belief that Vargas would be a strong contributor to the Dodgers, but his decision to keep Vargas in the minor leagues through the Dodgers’ final stretch of the season was a telling one.
After the season, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said that hand injuries were a major factor in Vargas’ struggles to hit consistently, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.
Plunkett also reported that utilityman Mookie Betts is expected to expand his role in the infield, where he flourished in 2023, meaning Vargas might have to move to the outfield if he is to play a consistent role for the Dodgers.
Betts started 62 games at second base in 2023, notching 87 putouts, 136 assists, 33 double plays and just 2 errors. His versatility will allow Roberts and Gomes to construct a roster with much more flexibility.
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With the MLB offseason starting, the Dodgers will be looking at upgrading the roster from all angles. But it seems that they also will be getting some key members back from injury for next season.
This includes infielder Gavin Lux, who tore his ACL and sprained his LCL in Spring Training this past year. It was a massive blow to the team when Lux went down, and it then forced veteran Miguel Rojas to take over the shortstop position.
At the GM meetings, Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes provided an update on Lux. He said that Lux won’t need to participate in winter ball, despite an interest from the infielder.
In 129 games in 2022, Lux hit .276 with six home runs and 42 runs batted in. After LA lost some key free agents, he was in line to take over a starting role, but the injury derailed everything.
The hope is that Lux will be able to return fully to start the 2024 season and that he can finally take over the starting shortstop position. This is assuming of course that LA doesn’t upgrade at the position in free agency or via trade this winter.
LA will be looking all across the board, but with Lux coming back, they likely will want to see how he performs. Lux has been a big part of the Dodgers plans in the past, and it seems that that remains true to this day.
The team was high on him before his injury, and they were excited to see what he could do over the course of a full season. Hopefully, he gets that chance this coming year and he can remain healthy.
