In a shocking July 29, 2025 move, the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux to the Reds mid-series. See the full trade details and how Lux played against his old team.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
You read that right. In a move that sent shockwaves through the Dodger fan base, the team traded infielder Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds just hours before game two of their series. In a bizarre twist of fate, Lux was immediately penciled into the Reds' lineup, starting in left field against the very team whose jersey he wore just yesterday. It was a stark reminder that baseball is a business, and for the Dodgers, business is all about winning in October.
One day you're sharing a clubhouse, the next you're trying to get him out. That's the surreal reality of trading Gavin Lux mid-series.
The trade sends Lux to Cincy in exchange for promising minor league outfielder Mike Sirota and a competitive balance draft pick. While losing a homegrown talent and fan favorite like Lux stings, the move signals the front office's commitment to future flexibility and acquiring high-upside assets. Sirota is a name to watch in the farm system, but the immediate impact is a major shift in the Dodgers' infield and outfield depth chart as the trade deadline looms.
The Lux trade created an immediate roster spot, which was filled by calling up switch-hitting infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A. His arrival was made even more necessary by the news that Hyeseong Kim landed on the 10-day IL with left shoulder bursitis. The injury bug continues to bite, with Kiké Hernández's elbow inflammation keeping him in a 'holding pattern' and key reliever Evan Phillips officially out for the season after Tommy John surgery. The road to the postseason is paved with challenges, and the Dodgers' depth is being tested like never before.
Despite the off-field drama, there was still a game to be played. Ace Tyler Glasnow took the mound against the Reds' Nick Lodolo in a critical matchup. The lineup had a familiar look at the top with Betts, Ohtani, Smith, and Freeman, but the bottom third featured a shuffled deck. All eyes were on Shohei Ohtani, who entered the night riding a nine-game hitting streak after his two-run double sealed last night's win. With 38 homers on the year, he remains the engine of this offense, a constant force amidst the chaos.
This was a day of difficult goodbyes and necessary adjustments. The Gavin Lux trade reshapes the team's identity for the stretch run and beyond. As the Dodgers navigate a slew of injuries and integrate a new face in Alex Freeland, the pressure falls on the superstar core of Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman to steady the ship. Tonight's game against the Reds—and their new left fielder—is the first test of this reconfigured roster's resolve. The trade deadline is approaching, and if today was any indication, the front office is far from finished.
