Outfielder Scott Schebler was en route from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles and is expected to be available for tonight’s game against the San Francisco Giants, manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday.
Schebler is listed on the Dodgers’ lineup card as the only left-handed batter on the bench. The Dodgers are using a mostly left-handed hitting lineup against the Giants’ right-handed starter, Mike Leake.
“This time of year, you’d rather have a pinch hitter or a guy who can do some different things,” Mattingly said. “Scheb can run a little bit, play different outfield spots. He gives us a little flexibility.”
Schebler got into one game back in June with the Dodgers. Making his major league debut, the 24-year-old outfielder collected one hit (a single) in three at-bats.
In 121 games with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate this year, Schebler had 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .241/.322/.410 slash line.
The Dodgers brought up four players from Triple-A on Tuesday, the first day that rosters were able to expand to 40. Mattingly said the “second wave” of reinforcements is expected to arrive after the Pacific Coast League playoffs; the Oklahoma City Dodgers can clinch a playoff berth tonight.
Schebler, then, represents an exception.
“If there’s guys that we need right now, then they’ll be here right now. For the most part you want guys to keep playing. If they’re going to come here and sit, they’re not going to be very valuable if two weeks from now you need them. If they keep playing for the next two weeks, they’ve been playing. To keep them playing is an advantage to us.”