A week ago, Elian Herrera was a 27-year old career minor leaguer, one who had never even been invited to a major league spring training camp. Now, Herrera is potentially a key member of the Dodgers' lineup.
Herrera was promoted to the Dodgers on May 14 when third baseman Juan Uribe was placed on the disabled list with a left wrist injury. Now the Dodgers will be without starting second baseman Mark Ellis for at least six weeks as well after Ellis had to have emergency leg surgery on Saturday.
Herrera has started four of the last six games for the Dodgers, three at second base and once at third. The Dodgers value his versatility.
"I have seen Elian so much in spring training the last few years, and every time he came over he got hits," manager Don Mattingly said last week. "He's played center field, he's played right, left, second, short, third. It sounds like he's been good everywhere."
In Class AAA Albuquerque this year, Herrera was hitting .358 with a .381 on-base percentage while primarily serving as their leadoff hitter. Herrera has batted second in the Dodgers' order in all four of his starts, including the last three games in place of the injured Ellis, the normal second hitter for the Dodgers.
Herrera has had at least one hit in each of his starts and through Monday was hitting .333 (6-for-18) with four runs scored. If he continues to produce he could potentially fill a void in the Dodgers' infield and batting order.
NOTES, QUOTES
Hairston could return this week
--IF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. played third base Monday in a minor league rehab game at extended spring training at the Dodgers' training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Hairston is expected to play two more rehab games, likely Wednesday and Thursday with Class AAA Albuquerque, and then be activated Friday as the Dodgers open a homestand against the Astros.
--3B Juan Uribe met with a hand specialist to examine his injured left wrist, and the report was good. Uribe will begin baseball activities this week on his road back from the disabled list.
--C Matt Treanor hit his first home run of the season in the second inning in the Dodgers' 6-1 win over Arizona on Monday. Treanor is the 12th Dodgers player to hit a home run this season.
--1B James Loney homered in the Dodgers' 6-1 win in Arizona on Monday. Loney has 10 career home runs in 44 games at Chase Field, the most home runs for Loney at any road park.
--OF/1B Scott Van Slyke, one day after hitting his first major league home run, batted cleanup for the Dodgers on Monday in Arizona in his ninth major league game. Van Slyke played first base for the first time in his major league career, and went 0-for-5 in the Dodgers' 6-1 win over Arizona.
--LHP Clayton Kershaw, who pitched his fourth career shutout on Saturday and has an active streak of 22 consecutive scoreless innings, was named National League Player of the Week on Monday, the second time in Kershaw's career he has captured the weekly honor.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Home runs by James Loney in 44 career games at Chase Field, the most home runs he has at any road park.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's played center field, he's played right, left, second, short, third. It sounds like he's been good everywhere." -- Manager Don Mattingly, on 27-year old IF/OF Elian Herrera, who has been in the major leagues for one week.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--2B Mark Ellis (left leg surgery) was placed on the disabled list on May 19. Ellis is expected to be hospitalized through May 22 and will miss at least six weeks.
--RHP Matt Guerrier (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. He threw a bullpen session May 16 and then had to rest for three days with elbow soreness. He could be back by early June, but it will depend on how his elbow responds.
--INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 7. He will play in a pair of minor league games on a rehab assignment on May 21 and 22 in extended spring training at the Dodgers complex in Glendale, Ariz., then get activated on May 23.
--3B Juan Uribe (sprained left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list May 14. He will resume baseball activities by May 25.
--CF Matt Kemp (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 14. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection May 15 and began stretching and throwing drills May 17. He is expected to return from the disabled list on May 29, the first day he is eligible.
--OF/1B Juan Rivera (ruptured left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list May 9. He is expected to be out until at least late June.
--RHP Blake Hawksworth (arthroscopic right elbow surgeries in January 2012 and February 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list March 27.
--RHP Rubby De La Rosa (Tommy John surgery in August 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list March 26.
