Bobby Abreu up for stretch run.

Bobby Abreu was back Sunday. It didn’t feel like he never left.

Abreu has the same locker stall in the clubhouse, but a new number (12) and a new role — no more being penciled in to the first, third or fifth slot in the batting order, which he’s done in 40 of his 54 starts this season. Heck, the 38-year-old outfielder probably won’t start a game with Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera all ahead of him on the outfield depth chart.

Now, Abreu becomes “another guy off the bench that has been around, is going to be comfortable up there, knows what he’s doing,” manager Don Mattingly said.

To make room for Abreu on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers creatively recalled Chris Withrow from Double-A Chattanooga and placed him on the 60-day disabled list. Withrow hasn’t pitched since Aug. 17.
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Abreu in, Sellers out.

Bobby Abreu is a Dodger.

Less than a week after he was released by the Angels, the 38-year-old outfielder signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers in advance of today’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Abreu was not listed in the starting lineup.

The 17-year veteran was hitting .208 at the time of his release. Last season, Abreu batted .253 with eight home runs and 60 RBIs. Abreu is a lifetime .293/.397/.877 (BA/OBP/OPS) hitter and counted Don Mattingly as his hitting coach with the New York Yankees from 2003-06.

To make room for Abreu on the active roster, infielder Justin Sellers was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Sellers batted .150 (3-for-20) with two doubles in 10 games (7 starts).

The Dodgers now have 40 players on their 40-man roster.