The Los Angeles Dodgers will add outfielder Shane Victorino to their active roster on Wednesday, as he is expected to start Wednesday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. But the Dodgers will have to make a corresponding move to make room for Victorino, and so far the team is mum on the pending transaction.
The club already added Victorino to the 40-man roster on Tuesday by designating pitcher Michael Antonini for assignment. That removers the right-hander from the roster and if he clears waivers, Antonini could be outrighted back to Triple A Albuquerque.
Removing Antonini likely means that the move to put Victorino on the active roster won't be a veteran getting designated for assignment, because if the Dodgers were going to remove a player from the 40-man they could have done in Tuesday instead of Antonini.
That likely means struggling veterans Bobby Abreu (.234/.333/.255 in July), Tony Gwynn Jr. (.140/.204/.160 in July), and Juan Uribe (.154/.281/.346 in July) are probably safe. In the case of Uribe, he is at least healthy, but had just one at-bat in his one appearance in the last eight games coming into Tuesday.
"(Uribe's) healthy. In a sense, with Hanley at third and Cruz playing well at short, there is nowhere to use him except maybe as a pinch hitter, or doubling him in late in the game," said manager Don Mattingly.
The move could be as simple as someone to the disabled list, or perhaps someone getting optioned.
Luis Cruz could be optioned, but that would mean Hanley Ramirez is ready to play shortstop full time and would leave the club without a true backup at the position.
Rookie reliever Shawn Tolleson is another option candidate, but he has been pitching well of late, and would leave the Dodgers with only six pitchers in the bullpen. Though that is more palatable with off days on each of the next two Thursdays.
Both Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti declined to comment on a possible roster move, but one will need to be made by Wednesday. Now we wait and see.
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