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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