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Monday is just a normal day in Dodgers land, where starting shortstop Hanley Ramirez is out of the starting lineup for a fifth consecutive day, but not yet on the disabled list. The Dodgers did recall Justin Sellers, who can certainly play shortstop, but doesn't exactly solve the club's hitting woes as they open a three-game series against the Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers did move National League player of the week Yasiel Puig into the cleanup spot after a week of hitting in the leadoff position, to try to shake things up a bit. But what the lineup really needs is healthy players, including Ramirez.
Manager Don Mattingly was frustrated after Sunday's loss to the Braves, exasperated at all of the injuries suffered by the team.
"We can't continue to play short," Mattingly said Sunday. "If you can't play you've got to go on the DL."
Presumably the results of the MRI for Ramirez didn't show enough cause for him to go back on the disabled list, but the shortstop still appears to be in limbo, the same status he was in over the weekend, cleared to hit but not to run.
Andre Ethier, after fouling a ball off the arch of his foot on Saturday and missing Sunday because he couldn't swing a bat, is back in the lineup on Monday, batting sixth and playing center field against the left-handed Wade Miley.
To make room for Sellers, the Dodgers optioned Matt Magill back to Triple-A Albuquerque after his poor start on Sunday. Magill was 0-2 with a 6.51 ERA in six starts, with more walks (28) than strikeouts (26).
Sellers made the opening day roster as the starting shortstop, back when Ramirez was out with a dislocated thumb. But Sellers hit just .191/.267/.250 in 26 games before getting optioned on May 8. Back in the Pacific Coast League, Sellers hit .337/.376/.489 with 11 doubles and a home run in 24 games.
Arizona also made a pair of roster moves before the game. The Diamondbacks recalled right-handed pitchers Charles Brewer and Joe Paterson from Triple-A Reno, optioned pitcher Tyler Skaggs back to Triple-A and placed relief pitcher Matt Reynolds on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow.
Game info
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket