The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to purchase the contract of infielder Justin Sellers from the Triple A Albuquerque Isotopes before Friday's series opener with the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have an open roster spot because rookie shortstop Dee Gordon was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder contusion after their loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Per Chris Jackson of the Albuquerque Examiner:
Versatile infielder Justin Sellers was unavailable to play as he was expected to be called up at some point in the next 48 hours by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who put shortstop Dee Gordon on the 15-day disabled list with an injured right shoulder. That move was not yet official.
The 25-year old Sellers was invited to big league camp in spring training this season for the first time in his career, and he hit .280/.400/.440 in limited action. He was hitting .304/.400/.537 in 89 games with Triple A in the hitter-happy Pacific Coast League this season. Sellers has played all over the diamond for Albuquerque this season, playing 45 games at shortstop, 22 games at second base, 15 games at third base, and even seven games in the outfield.
Jamey Carroll figures to receive most of the playing time at shortstop in Gordon's absence, but the Dodgers need an infielder they can plug in at the position if needed. Aaron Miles played just 63 total innings at shortstop in 2009 and 2010, while Eugenio Velez has played one minor league game at shortstop in the last five years.
Sellers is not on the 40-man roster, but the Dodgers have an open spot so that will not be an issue. Fellow Albuquerque Isotopes infielder Ivan DeJesus was also an option and is already on the 40-man, but the organization would rather DeJesus play everyday rather than sit on the bench in the big leagues, as DeJesus did in his two previous stints with the Dodgers this season.
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