LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers activated third baseman Casey Blake from the 15-day disabled list before Saturday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, clearing a roster spot by placing veteran infielder Juan Uribe on the 15-day DL for the second time this season with a left hip strain.
Blake had been on the DL since July 3 with an arthritic condition in his neck. It was his third DL stint of the season. He went 3-for-8 with a double in two games as a designated hitter for advanced Class A Rancho Cucamonga on a rehabilitation assignment Thursday and Friday, during which he proved to be physically sound enough to return to the lineup.
Blake was set to start at third base against the Diamondbacks, batting second.
Uribe hadn't played since last Saturday, when he left after five innings with a recurrence of the hip/abdominal injury that had sidelined him for two weeks earlier this season. He had been available to pinch hit in the five subsequent games, but he never did, so the move can be made retroactive to Sunday. That means Uribe will be eligible to return as early as Aug. 8, when the Dodgers begin a six-game homestand.
Tony Jackson covers the Dodgers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.