BREAKING: Reds Receives Devastating News on Gavin Lux during spring training

Position players officially arrived at spring training on Saturday, bringing the entire team together in Goodyear. With everyone now in Arizona, manager Terry Francona addressed the media about player positions. When asked about Matt McLain, who missed the 2024 season due to injuries but played a few games in the Arizona Fall League, Francona’s response was clear—second base. “That’s the hope,” he said, as first reported by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.

If McLain is set to play exclusively at second base and is expected to be an everyday starter, that raises questions about newcomer Gavin Lux’s role. According to Rosecrans, Francona mentioned that Lux would initially play second base and third base in spring training before getting some reps in left field.

When the Reds acquired Lux from the Dodgers, President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall outlined their approach: “We see him as a player who will get time at second base, outfield, and DH during spring training. We’ll also look at him at second, third, and shortstop to evaluate his defensive fit. We believe he’s a quality left-handed hitter who adds depth to our lineup.”

Now, that plan appears to be in motion. However, Lux may not have a set everyday role but rather be a frequent contributor in multiple positions. This aligns with much of Cincinnati’s roster, where only a few players—Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, McLain at second, and TJ Friedl in center field—are locked into one position. Others are expected to rotate, including Tyler Stephenson, the primary catcher who will also see time as a designated hitter.

Defensively, Lux’s history presents some challenges. Though he came up as a shortstop prospect, he has played the position only 47 times in the majors since 2019. His experience at third base is limited to just six innings, and he has appeared in left field for only 34 complete games. Most of his major league action has been at second base.

With De La Cruz and McLain solidifying the middle infield, Lux’s opportunities will likely come at third base and left field—two positions where he has minimal big-league experience. Complicating matters further is his arm strength, which has been widely reported as below average. According to Baseball Savant, Lux’s top recorded throw in 2024 was 77.9 MPH, well below the league average for second basemen (79.3 MPH) and far from what’s typically needed for third base.

That raises doubts about Lux as a regular third baseman. If he plays there occasionally—perhaps once or twice a week—the Reds may be able to manage his arm limitations. However, left field presents fewer concerns, and the DH role removes defensive worries altogether. A realistic scenario could see Lux in the lineup five times a week through a mix of third base, left field, DH, and possibly platoon or pinch-hitting duties.

However, expecting Lux to be an everyday starter seems unlikely. Without a clear path at shortstop or second base, his playing time will likely be spread across multiple positions as the Reds juggle their versatile roster.