ATLANTA (AP) -The Los Angeles Dodgers called up third baseman Andy LaRoche from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and placed Marlon Anderson on the 15-day disabled list.
LaRoche went 1-for-4 in his first major league game, a 6-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
“I just wish it could have ended better,” LaRoche said. “You just have to try to stay relaxed and realize it’s just a ballgame like you’ve been playing all your life.”
LaRoche will continue to start, manager Grady Little said.
“We’re going to give him a good opportunity,” Little said.
Little said the decision to call up LaRoche was made before Saturday’s game, but the move was not announced until Sunday because the team wanted to make sure LaRoche had time to travel to Atlanta.
“It’s always exciting to see a kid in his first game in the big leagues,” Little said.
The move came one day after Little announced he was benching third baseman Wilson Betemit, who then hit a pinch-hit homer, his first of the season, in Saturday night’s 6-3 win over the Braves.
Betemit added another pinch-hit homer, a two-run shot, on Sunday.
Despite the homers, Betemit is batting only .155 and will assume a utility role.
“We’re looking for a solution to get a little more production out of that position,” Little said. “(Betemit) is not out of the picture. He showed us last night what he can do coming off the bench.”
Little said Betemit will begin taking groundballs at shortstop, second base and first base and could also play in the outfield if needed.
LaRoche was hitting .235 with three homers and 11 RBIs for Las Vegas.
“I knew it could happen any day from last year to this year,” LaRoche said about making his major league debut. “But when it finally happens, there’s such a rush of emotion. It’s pretty exciting.”
LaRoche was to play his first major league game where his brother, first baseman Adam LaRoche, played the last three seasons. The Braves traded Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh in the offseason.
Andy LaRoche hit sixth Sunday as Little gave catcher Russell Martin a rest. Little said he expects LaRoche will normally hit lower in the lineup.
The Dodgers also activated right-hander Yhency Brazoban from the disabled list and optioned him to Las Vegas.
Anderson, a backup infielder and outfielder, was placed on the DL with a sore right elbow. He experienced lingering problems following offseason surgery and returned to Los Angeles on Sunday to be examined.
Anderson was placed on the DL retroactive to Saturday. He was hitting .222 in 18 at-bats.
With Anderson on the DL, the switch-hitting Betemit will be the team’s only left-handed pinch-hitter.
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