On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers activated Carl Crawford from the 60-day disabled list, after a lengthy recovery from a right oblique injury. Brandon Beachy, Monday night’s starter, was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and right-hander Preston Guilmet was designated for assignment to make room on the 25- and 40-man rosters.
In Crawford’s time away, Andre Ethier has supplanted him as the everyday left fielder so playing time will have to be earned. Crawford hasn’t played in the big leagues since April 27, when he was batting .245 with a .668 OPS in 15 games. But an encouraging rehab stint gives Don Mattingly a valuable weapon off the bench, as Crawford in 10 games hit .353 with two doubles, two triples and a home run.
The 33-year-old veteran has said all the right things up to this point, accepting of his new role, as the Dodgers look to win another division title and make a deep run in the postseason. Crawford joins an already deep bench with big bats in Scott Van Slyke and Alex Guerrero, with veteran catcher A.J. Ellis and utility guys in Alberto Callaspo and Enrique Hernandez also in the mix.