PHOENIX -- Danny Dorn never lost faith, even through 10 minor league seasons and five trips to the disabled list.
His perseverance was rewarded Tuesday when the Diamondbacks brought him to the major leagues for the first time.
"Everyone wants to be able to call themselves a big leaguer," Dorn said before the D-backs series opener against the Texas Rangers, "and I'm able to do that now.
"That's always the goal and the dream. I held onto that. I always thought I was good enough to play in the big leagues. I'm grateful for the opportunity and thank everyone along the way who has helped me get here. I am excited to get out there and play."
To say Dorn, 30, took a long road is an understatement. Dorn played at four minor league levels for three organizations after he left Cal State-Fullerton as a 32nd-round draft pick of Cincinnati in 2006. He spent the last six-plus seasons an agonizing one step away at Triple-A, joining the D-backs as a minor league free agent last season.
Dorn showed well in Reno last year, hitting .304 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI in 73 games in an injury-interrupted season, and he slashed.474/.500/.729 with two homers and eight RBI in 10 games there this year. So when the D-backs found themselves with a roster spot after placing Jake Lamb (left foot stress reaction) on the disabled list and in need of a left-handed bat, Dorn got the call. Reno manager Phil Nevin tricked Dorn into showing up early Monday so he could break the news.
"It's amazing. It's something you always dream about," Dorn said. "As a kid, everyone who starts playing baseball wants to play in the major leagues. I'm fortunate and blessed to be able to come up here and play in the major leagues. It's awesome. It's been kind of crazy the last 24 hours, but you just try to enjoy it and take it all in."
Dorn's first call, of course, was to his wife, Brittany. He then called his parents.
"My dad kind of got quiet. I think he got a little choked up," Dorn said. "I feel like it's just as much for my wife and my family as it is for me. They've been there for me through the struggles, the ups and downs. I played in the minor leagues for a long time. They'd sit there, watch the game on a computer, and every time I'd strike out, they feel it just as much as I do."
Dorn, who plays first base and both corner outfield spots, primarily will be used as a bat off the bench, D-backs manager Chip Hale said.
"He did a great job for us this spring training," Hale said. "He always had competitive at-bats. His swing also works as a bench guy. He has a short enough swing, lefty, righty, he can hit them both. And he had a great start in Reno, which is what you like."
Dorn had double-digit home run totals in all eight minor league seasons, with a career-high 25 at Triple-A Toledo in 2013. He hit .278 with 148 homers and 538 RBI in 929 minor league games.
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