Rafael Furcal is ready to rejoin the Dodgers—finally.
After a longer than expected stint on the disabled list, Furcal will be reactivated on Tuesday, as Los Angeles opens up a three game series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.
Furcal has been inactive since April with a strained hamstring, and was originally slated to return on May 14. However, the tightness persisted, and additional healing time was required.
Furcal's final test came last Saturday in extended spring training, and with five at-bats and numerous quick action movements, he finally convinced coaches and trainers that he was 100 percent.
But Raffy's return means that Los Angeles will need to make room for him on the 25-man active roster—a situation that the Dodgers have been all too familiar with already this season.
The obvious move is to designate SS Nick Green for assignment; but Green doesn't have any options remaining on his contract, which means that he could clear waivers and be picked up by another team.
Dodgers Manager Joe Torre has explored other options, however. One possible situation involves sending opening day starting second baseman Blake DeWitt down to Class AAA affiliate Albequerque. DeWitt has one option left on his contract.
If this scenario does indeed occur, this would mean that interim SS Jamey Carroll would slide over to start at second base, and possibly share time there with utility infielder Ronnie Belliard.
Notwithstanding, DeWitt has been a chief contributor to the most recent success of the Dodgers. He has elevated his batting average to a very productive .286, and has accumulated nine extra base hits in the month of May alone. Carroll or Green don't even come close to that type of production.
But as we have seen with earlier disabled list-related moves already this season, it's not always about who is performing the best on the field.
Another option the Dodgers could consider is sending a pitcher down to the minors—at least temporarily, since the fifth starter's spot isn't due to come up again until May 28.
Los Angeles is expected to announce the decision prior to the start of the game on Tuesday.
Whatever decision takes place, it's obvious that Dodgers management is keeping a close eye on its pocketbook, and losing a player to the waiver wire without any compensation surely wouldn't help that cause.
Reasoning suggests that the Dodgers want to hold on to every player possible, perhaps to have the ability to put together a package deal in obtaining an anticipated fifth starting pitcher.
Completely losing a player to waivers without any recompense certainly doesn't help the team from a value or financial standpoint.
With the returns of Andre Ethier, Vicente Padilla, Corey Wade, Charlie Haeger, and Brad Ausmus in the foreseeable future, it's certain that Los Angeles will have similar scenarios to contend with in the upcoming weeks.
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