3 Chicago Cubs players that may interest Dodgers after Gavin Lux injury

In Monday's Cactus League game between the Dodgers and Padres, Los Angeles infielder Gavin Lux collapsed while running second to third after feeling a 'pop' in the outside of his right knee. The team had a lot riding on the former first-rounder heading into 2023 and could be forced to pivot to a backup plan before the regular season even opens.

An update on Lux is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday - and, at least in the short-term, it appears as if offseason addition Miguel Rojas will take over at shortstop for the Dodgers. But outside of Rojas, there's very little in terms of proven commodities on the depth chart, which could force Andrew Friedman to explore the trade market prior to Opening Day.

The Cubs just so happen to have a handful of guys - three specifically - who could be of interest to Los Angeles. Let's take a look at those names.

3 Cubs the Dodgers may explore trading for post-Gavin Lux injury: #3 - Nick Madrigal

So far, so good when it comes to the Nick Madrigal third base experiment. Early on in Tuesday's game, he handled back-to-back ground balls without issue and showcased his elite bat-to-ball skills, slapping a single to the opposite field in an at-bat, as well.

But with Patrick Wisdom and Edwin Rios likely to platoon at third and Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner slotted in up the middle, Madrigal is, at best, headed for a bench role on this team. Of course, as we've already seen - injuries do happen and perhaps there's a road to more playing time for Madrigal, but it's far from a certainty.

Madrigal could add to the Dodgers' infield depth should Lux be headed for a lengthy IL stint, adding in a solid offensive profile and the ability to man multiple positions for Dave Roberts. Of course, we've speculated about a potential Madrigal trade all winter long and here he is in camp with the Cubs, but given the infield logjam and Los Angeles' need, you never know.

3 Cubs the Dodgers may explore trading for post-Gavin Lux injury: #2 - Zach McKinstry 

Due to the fact he's out of options and came over in a trade last summer for a valuable reliever in Chris Martin, it's hard to imagine a scenario where Zach McKinstry doesn't break camp with the big league team.

Oh - and oddly relevant - but it was a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers that netted McKinstry, so that front office has a ton of knowledge and insights when it comes to the utilityman. Still just 27 years old, it's hard to project what you might get out of the former 33rd-round pick.

In 364 MLB plate appearances, he's slashed just .209/.269/.384 - hardlly the level of production worthy of a 26-man roster spot on a team with postseason aspirations. But then you look at what he's done in 489 Triple-A plate appearances (.323/.401/.550) and you can't help but think there's more to him than what he's done in the big leagues to this point.

Given the familiarity the Dodgers have with McKinstry and the fact the Cubs have multiple other infield options should they move off him (Madrigal, Christopher Morel, Miles Mastrobuoni), it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see the Cubs come off him for, say, maybe a lefty arm?