March 13, 2023
ANALYSISEarlier in spring training, Roberts left open the possibility that the lefty-hitting
Gavin Lux might displace Betts as the team's table setter against certain right-handed pitchers, but that became a moot point after Lux suffered a season-ending ACL tear Feb. 27. According to
Vassegh, Roberts added that Betts, who led off in all 138 of his starts in 2022, will likely see more playing time at second base on days when the Dodgers' top option at the position,
Miguel Vargas, requires a day off. He made all but five of those starts in right field a season ago, but with Roberts estimating that the 30-year-old will play close to 20 games at the keystone in 2023, Betts looks as though he'll have a real chance at carrying second-base and middle-infield eligibility into 2024.