Scott Van Slyke Activated, Luis Cruz Designated For Assignment
The Dodgers finally pulled the plug on third baseman Luis Cruz as they designated him for assignment after activating Scott Van Slyke off the disabled list.
Cruz is batting an embarrassing .127 with one home run as he’s been apart of the Dodgers inept left side of the infield while Hanley Ramirez was out with various injuries.
Slated as the everyday third baseman out of spring training, Cruz never made the most of his opportunity playing everyday. The Dodgers Twitter account announced the decision this afternoon:
#Dodgers today reinstated Scott Van Slyke from the 15-day disabled list and designated Luis Cruz for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 28, 2013
Van Slyke returns to the Dodgers after he was on the DL with an injured neck and Don Mattingly hinted that he would be back with the major league club.
In a limited role, Van Slyke is hitting just .221 with six home runs and 11 RBIs, but will now be the primary right handed bat off the bench and will spell Adrian Gonzalez at first base on occasion.
While Cruz made a name for himself with his great play down the stretch last season, his play this season was too poor to trot out there on an everyday basis.
It was probably necessary. Doesn’t make it any less sad, though.