In addition to placing Kenta Maeda on the 10-day disabled list and recalling Dennis Santana from Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Dodgers also put Chase Utley on the DL and recalled Pat Venditte.
Utley, who appeared as a pinch-hitter in Tuesday’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies but last started on Memorial Day, goes down with a left thumb sprain. He’s batting .216/.302/.324 with seven doubles, one triple, one home run and 14 RBI in 45 games (26 starts) this season.
It’s unclear when Utley may have began to first feel the effects of a thumb injury, but it may in some part explain Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicating Max Muncy was a candidate to see time at second base.