LOS ANGELES – A dehydrated Dee Gordon seems to defeat the purpose.
The fact that the Dodgers’ second-year shortstop has had to leave two recent games because of cramping in his hamstrings was one of the reasons why the team brought up infielder Luis Cruz from Triple-A Albuquerque before Monday’s game.
Having Cruz, who hit .308 in 24 spring-training games with the Dodgers during spring-training as a non-roster invitee, immediately in the starting lineup at shortstop against the Cincinnati Reds, and batting eighth, made the urgency of the move even more apparent.
“We know we’ve been pushing (Gordon) a little much lately,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.
With a week to go before the All-Star break, Mattingly said the team could afford to be one relief-pitcher short — they sent right-hander Shawn Tolleson to Triple-A to bring up Cruz, who can also play second and third base.
The 28-year-old Cruz, who spent parts of three seasons with the Pirates and Brewers, was recently picked to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Game. He was hitting .318 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs in 74 games, including .390 with runners in scoring position and .433 against left-handers.
Kemp’s Epic return
Matt Kemp heads to a sold-out Epicenter to serve as the DH for Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes tonight.
Out since May 31 because of a left hamstring strain, Kemp will alternate between DH and playing five innings for the rest of the week during the rehab stint. His plan is to then head to Kansas City to participate in the Home Run Derby as captain of the NL team, but sit out the All-Star Game despite being voted in by the fans.
Mattingly said he did not fear Kemp reinjuring the leg by taking part in the Monday contest, saying that team doctors have cleared him to play.
TODAY
Dodgers LHP Chris Capuano (9-3, 2.69) opposes Reds RHP Johnnny Cueto (9-4, 2.26) at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KCAL/9, KLAC/570 and KTNQ/1020 (Spanish).
