The Los Angeles Dodgers added some outfield depth on Wednesday when they announced that left fielder Scott Van Slyke would be reinstanted from the 15-day disabled list.
Van Slyke has missed the team's last 18 games due to a back injury that was described by team doctor Stan Conte as "left mid-back inflammation."
To make room for Van Slyke on the roster, the Dodgers placed right-handed relief pitcher Chris Hatcher on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain.
Hatcher felt a "twinge" in the area on Sunday during a relief appearance in the Dodgers 4-2 come from behind victory over the San Diego Padres.
Hatcher had been struggling as of late as he was 1-4 with a 6.38 ERA on the year in 27 relief appearances. The pitcher was acquired by the Dodgers last winter in the trade that sent Dee Gordon and Dan Haren to the Florida Marlins.
Van Slyke is in the starting lineup and batting sixth on Wednesday for the first game of a five-game homestand for the Boys in Blue. The Dodgers will play two games against the Texas Rangers before welcoming their rivals the San Francisco Giants for a three-game set over the Father's Day weekend.
The Dodgers could use Van Slyke's bat off the bench especially as their offense has been sputtering again. Los Angeles has scored five runs or less in their last five games and have only scored 12 runs in the past week.
Van Slyke is batting .264 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 34 games this season.
