Dodgers call up Scott Van Slyke, option Elian Herrera to Triple-A Albuquerque

The Dodgers on Friday continued their methodical and incremental bench upgrade with the promotion of slugger Scott Van Slyke from Triple-A Albuquerque before their weekend series against the Marlins. To make room, the Dodgers have optioned Elian Herrera to Triple-A, and moved pitcher Chad Billingsley from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Herrera was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday when Jerry Hairston went on the disabled list. At the time manager Don Mattingly said the Dodgers needed someone who could hit from the right side and play corner outfield. Van Slyke fits that bill but hadn't played the outfield all season until Tuesday. Van Slyke played 31 games at first base for the Isotopes this season but played the last three days in the outfield.

Van Slyke, who was designated for assignment in December and outrighted off the 40-man roster, came into camp with something to prove this season, and showed it during the season's first month. He hit .397/.503/.733 with nine home runs, 10 doubles, 32 runs scored, and 30 RBI in 34 games for Albuquerque.

In a few brief stints with the Dodgers in 2012, Van Slyke hit just .167 (9-for-54) with two home runs in 27 games.

Herrera started on Wednesday for the Dodgers in left field and went 1-for-3 in the place of Carl Crawford, who felt tightness in his right hamstring. Both Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, who left Wednesday's game early after aggravating his neck injury, are back in the lineup on Friday.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: It depends!

MLB Gameday