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The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled first baseman Scott Van Slyke from Triple-A Albuquerque Friday, optioning utility man Elian Herrera to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
Van Slyke gives the team outfield depth, and can play first base if needed. With Adrian Gonzalez currently bothered by a neck strain, Van Slyke will likely receive a few starts at first if Gonzalez is forced to miss some playing time.
The 26 year-old has looked extremely impressive in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, hitting .397/.503/.733 through his first 147 plate appearances. Van Slyke has shown impressive plate discipline and power this season, and hopes it will carry over the the big leagues.
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Van Slyke received 57 plate appearances for Los Angeles last season, but struggled in his first taste of the major leagues, hitting .167/.196/.315 in 57 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter did not start for the Dodgers on Friday, but made an appearance as a pinch-hitter, striking out in his only plate appearance.
Herrera's stay with the Dodgers proved brief, as the team originally recalled the utility man on Tuesday. The switch-hitter started for Los Angeles on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 1-3 at the plate with a single.
