It’s go-time for Gavin Lux.

The Dodgers know it and so does he.

“I think the world of him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Reds. “I do think that our expectation is for him to be a really good big league ballplayer for us this year. I think he's past that prospect status and he's had a great camp up to this point.”

Lux, who is the frontrunner for the second-base job, came into Tuesday’s matchup with five hits in his first 11 at-bats. He finished 1-for-3 against the Reds, including an opposite-field single down the third-base line that drove in Justin Turner to put the Dodgers ahead, 4-0, in the third.

“Getting some results early on is always good and helps you kind of just relax and be a little more comfortable,” Lux said. “But like I said, it's not the most important thing right now ... just getting out there and then getting at-bats.”

Lux’s story is familiar by now. He lived up to the billing as the club’s top prospect in 2019 by sporting a batting average of .392 in 49 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He also slashed .240/.305/.400 in 23 games for the Dodgers that year.

Then came 2020. Lux had 11 hits in 63 at-bats over 19 games. He hit three home runs, drove in eight and struck out 19 times.

“It’s in the past, and I'm not thinking about it,” Lux said. “But it was a learning experience. It's probably a good thing my career struggles were early on so I can learn how to deal with it, learn how to deal with failure. I think it was a good thing, honestly.”

Lux spent the winter in Los Angeles working out and preparing for the season. He saw family and friends and said the “mental reset helped a lot.” As for where he will play in 2021, the 23-year-old said he doesn’t have a clue.

“I'm just trying to go out and play and help the team win any way possible,” he said. “Whatever the role ends up being, that's what it is. I'm just going out and playing and kind of letting the rest just take care of itself.”

Nelson cruises
Jimmy Nelson is giving the Dodgers plenty to consider this spring.

Nelson retired all six batters he faced in two innings. He needed only 20 pitches.

“I can do anything,” he said. “I’ll do any role they want me to do. I don’t think it will be an issue physically. I just want to pitch and help us win.”

Roberts said Nelson's fastball command "was really good."

"The breaking ball, he was striking it and shortening it. The velocity was there," Roberts said. "It was really encouraging. I just think he's in a good spot."

Nelson, who missed the 2020 season due to back surgery, is in competition for a spot in the rotation and the Dodgers are stretching him out as a starter. But he could be a better fit as a multi-inning reliever to start, especially with relievers Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly still on the mend. Among Nelson’s competition for a spot in the bullpen is Dennis Santana.

“I’ve been feeling good, and I was feeling really good coming into Spring Training with my offseason bullpens and all of my work,” Nelson said. “I’m just continuing from that and it’s step by step. The body is bouncing back well and physically, I’m feeling really good.”

Given Nelson’s recent history, the Dodgers will play close attention to how his body will respond in the days that follow.

“Last year, after an outing or a 'pen, he didn't respond well,” Roberts said. “Our expectation is that he'll come out feeling good, and we continue to build him up.”

Worth noting
• Cody Bellinger will take live at-bats Wednesday and remains on track to make his Cactus League debut around March 15. He’ll likely play a few games at designated hitter before seeing action in the field. Bellinger is rehabbing from arthroscopic labrum surgery he underwent on his right shoulder in November.

• Catcher Keibert Ruiz is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut this week, Roberts said. His arrival to camp was delayed because of a visa issue.