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Justin Turner makes team, Dodgers reassign Miguel Olivo

The utility infielder and southern California native has won a spot on the Dodgers bench.

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA

GLENDALE -- The Dodgers made a few roster moves just prior to their game against the Rockies on Sunday, including purchasing the contract of Justin Turner, adding the non-roster invitee to the roster. The Dodgers also reassigned catcher Miguel Olivo and optioned infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena to minor league camp.

To make room for Turner on the 40-man roster, the club placed Onelki Garcia on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from left elbow surgery.

"I think Justin has been a guy who seems comfortable all around the diamond. His hands seem to work really easy. He's had quality at-bats," manger Don Mattingly said of Turner. "Really it's the same thing we saw with the Mets in the last couple of years. For a guy who doesn't get a chance to play everyday, it looks like the at-bats are competitive."

Turner was 10-for-30 (.333) with four doubles and five walks in 15 Cactus League games before Sunday. He played 17 innings at third base, 17 at shortstop, 11 at second base and six more frames at first base this spring.

Turner will make $1 million while in the majors, with a rate of $120,000 in the minors, per the Associated Press. In addition, he can earn up to $475,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances:

$25,000 for each of 200 and 275 PA
$50,000 for each of 300, 325, 350 and 375 PA
$75,000 for each of 400, 425 and 450 PA

With the Olivo move, the Dodgers are down to three catchers in major league camp. He asked for his release on Saturday after being told he wouldn't be making the trip to Australia, but without an opt out date in his contract the team does not have to grant his wish.

The collective bargaining agreement allows for veteran players on minor league deals to receive a retention bonus of $100,000 by 9 a.m. PT on the fifth day prior to Opening Day (which, for the Dodgers would be Monday) if they don't agree to either add the player to the active roster or release him by Opening Day. The CBA also allows for an automatic opt-out date of June 1 if the player isn't added to the active roster by then.

A.J. Ellis, Tim Federowicz and Drew Butera are the three catchers remaining in camp, all on the 40-man roster.

The 35-year-old backstop was signed to a minor league contract on Jan. 17. Olivo appeared in nine Cactus League games for the Dodgers and was 5-for-19 (.263) with two doubles and a walk.

He hit .203/.250/.392 with four home runs in 33 games as the backup catcher with the Marlins in 2013. In his 12-year career, Olivo has hit .241/.275/.417 with 145 home runs in 1,116 games.

Arruebarrena just arrived in camp on Thursday, so this move was expected. It isn't yet known where he will begin his season.

With these moves, we are down to 38 players in major league camp (not counting Garcia and Scott Elbert, the two 60-day DL guys), including 21 pitchers and 17 position players. Among those 38, five non-roster players remain.