Dodgers notes: Gavin Lux will start in Game 1 of World Series, Miguel Rojas ‘making strides’

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux is expected to be back in the starting lineup in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at Dodger Stadium, after dealing with hip flexor tightness during the NLCS.

Lux started only two of the six games in the NLCS, after leaving Game 1 with hip flexor tightness, and went hitless in six at-bats with a walk and a sacrifice bunt against the Mets. The four non-starts also coincided with New York starting left-handed pitchers, which is when Lux usually sat during the regular season.

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned Tuesday that Lux has also been dealing with a hamstring issue.

“I think we did a god job of trying to pick our spots to get him in there, to get a pinch-hit here, but not to kind f regress with the hamstring, the hip flexor,” Roberts said over Zoom. “I think that with these days off, come Friday he should be a full go.”

Lux this season against right-handed pitchers his .262/.332/.407 with a 109 wRC+, including .303/.390/.511 with a 152 wRC+ against righties since July 1, when he switched to a more aggressive approach at the plate. Gerrit Cole starts for the Yankees on Friday.

Lux isn’t the only injury the Dodgers are managing this October. Freddie Freeman sprained his right ankle on September 26 and has missed three games this postseason, but he and Roberts said Tuesday Freeman plans to start at first base in Game 1.

Alex Vesia (intercostal injury) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder inflammation) are throwing this week and might be added to the World Series roster as well. Vesia was active for the NLDS but left off the NLCS roster, which was the same fate for shortstop Miguel Rojas, who is dealing with a torn adductor muscle that he re-aggravated against the Padres.

“I don’t really know a percentage, but I really feel that it was the right decision not having him on the CS roster, given his health,” Roberts said Tuesday. “He’s made some strides. I know he’s going to do everything he can to be on the World Series roster, but we’ve still got to be certain that he can run, and he can defend the way he can defend.

“So I’m hopeful, but not certain right now.”