Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
After going 13-4 over a stretch without an off day, the Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed a break in their schedule before beginning a six-game road trip Tuesday. Their first stop is to face the San Francisco Giants, followed by a weekend series with the Texas Rangers.
Their taxi squad for the road trip is headlined by Gavin Lux and also includes Rocky Gale, Tony Gonsolin, Luke Raley and Mitch White. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the taxi squad will remain unchanged throughout the road trip.
It’s an expanded group as team previously were only permitted to travel with a three-player taxi squad. MLB allowed for an increase when also deciding active rosters would remain at 28 for the remainder of the season.
While the Dodgers have been on prior road trips this year, it marks the first time Lux is accompanying them. He’s fresh off hitting two home runs against Gonsolin in an intrasquad game the Dodgers arranged between players who have been assigned to their alternate training site.
“Obviously he was facing a good arm in Tony, and hitting a homer off the fastball and one off the changeup. Gavin is and has been in a good place,” Roberts said Tuesday. “His being recalled seems like it’s a very good possibility at some point.”
That may likely apply to Gonsolin as well, who could start Sunday if the Dodgers wish to continue providing members of their rotation with an extra day of rest between outings. Gonsolin has thrown a combined 14.2 scoreless innings in his three spot starts thus far.
Lux reboundingLux was among the Dodgers who reported late to Summer Camp, though unlike a few others he declined to disclose the reason. He struggled at the plate during intrasquad games and subsequent scrimmages, which culminated with being left off the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
Roberts had previously said he was hopeful Lux would benefit from time spent at USC, where he could continue to iron out swing mechanics and find a rhythm without the pressure of performing in a regular-season game.
Roberts emphatically denied the idea service time manipulation was a factor in the Dodgers’ decision.
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