The Dodgers on Monday activated Jerry Hairston before their game with the Angels, and to make room on the roster optioned shortstop Dee Gordon to Triple-A Albuquerque. Hairston, who has been sidelined since May 5 with injuries to his left groin and left knee, is in the lineup for the Dodgers on Monday, playing left field and batting seventh.
Nick Punto will play the bulk of the time at shortstop until Hanley Ramirez returns from the disabled list, with the other starts going to Luis Cruz. Manager Don Mattingly said Ramirez could begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, which puts him in line for a return early on the next homestand, about a week away.
Mattingly said Ramirez being so near returning made the decision to send down Gordon easier.
"It's got something to do with it, because we feel like Hanley is close," Mattingly said.
Gordon hit just .175/.278/.254 in 19 games with the Dodgers, and stole five bases in seven attempts.
"Dee was the guy with options," said Mattingly. "Punto is the guy playing two out of three at short for now, and that's not good for Dee to continue to develop.
"He made a lot of strides defensively. I've seen his feet when he catches the ball and makes the throw across. I've seen him speed up when he needs to," Mattingly said. "If he can keep doing that, just get the consistency. I think the offensive side will come. The speed and the stroke, to me he's like a Michael Bourn. Early on he wasn't really a guy you feared at all and then he just got better and better. I think that's Dee."
Game info
Time: 5:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket, Fox Sports West