Dodgers place Scott Van Slyke on DL, recall Chris Heisey from Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Dodgers placed outfielder and first baseman Scott Van Slyke on the 15-day disabled list with left mid-back inflammation before their doubleheader against the Rockies, the team announced before Tuesday's first game. To take his place on the active roster, outfielder Chris Heisey was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Van Slyke has been dealing with the back issue for about a week, and played just once in the last six games. The move is retroactive to Sunday, meaning the earliest Van Slyke could be activated is June 15.

Van Slyke this season is hitting .264/.313/.402 with two home runs and six doubles, including 6-for-21 (.286) with a double and four walks and a hit by pitch (.423 on-base percentage) against left-handed pitchers.

Heisey was just optioned to Triple-A on Saturday, and is able to return within 10 days because he is replacing an injured player. The early return also give Heisey continuous service time as if he wasn't optioned on Saturday, and Tuesday marks five full years of service time for Heisey.

That means Heisey, 30, now has the right to refuse any minor league assignment and become a free agent. Though in doing so would forfeit the remainder of his $2.16 million salary, so it's still reasonably likely Heisey would accept a trip back to Triple-A Oklahoma City if optioned again.

Heisey this season is 1-for-9 (.111) with five walks (.429 OBP) in five games with the Dodgers, and has started one game each in left field, center field and right field.