Dodgers option Erisbel Arruebarrena to Triple-A, call up Miguel Rojas

DENVER -- The Dodgers on Friday optioned shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to Triple-A Albuquerque and called up infielder Miguel Rojas before their game on Friday against the Rockies at Coors Field.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Rojas, the Dodgers transferred pitcher Chris Withrow to the 60-day disabled list. Withrow had Tommy John surgery in Florida on Tuesday.

Arruebarrena acquitted himself quite well in his first major league stint, hitting .308/.357/.385 (4-for-13) in six games, but there simply wasn't much playing time for the 24-year-old. Arruebarrena started four straight games at shortstop for an injured Hanley Ramirez, but once Ramirez returned Arruebarrena was confined to the bench.

In the last nine games, Arruebarrena played just twice for a total of four defensive innings and no plate appearances. Manager Don Mattingly talked about the shortstop's development last weekend.

"You have to think about his development also as a player. We feel like this guy is going to be a big league player and a big league shortstop. You just can't leave him sitting here," Mattingly said. "I think a guy can learn here and gain ground just by being around and being able to work with the guys and playing a little bit. But at some point he's going to need to keep playing."

The Dodgers signed Arruebarrena to a five-year, $25 million contract in February. In a way, this demotion is a promotion of sorts, as he came to the majors from Double-A Chattanooga, but returns to Triple-A.

The 25-year-old Rojas gives the Dodgers a versatile defender they don't mind stashing on the bench if needed. Rojas was a non-roster invitee to spring training and remained in big league camp until the final roster cuts. Rojas hit .302/.353/.434 with nine doubles and four home runs in 51 games in Triple-A Albuquerque.

Rojas started 22 games at shortstop for the Isotopes, 14 games at third base and seven more at second base.