Jones Back

The Dodgers welcomed outfielder, Andruw Jones, to their line-up in yesterday's game against the Houston Astros. Although the fans were pleased by Los Angeles' 10-7 victory, they were not happy about Andruw Jones' ugly performance. The batter could not get on-base, striking out four times in the game.

Jones hit the Disabled-List in May with a knee injury. The new Dodger was batting .165 at the time and many fans were pleased to hear the news that Jones would be out of the line-up. The Dodgers finally had an opportunity to start Andre Ethier, Juan Pierre, and Matt Kemp simultaneously in the outfield as the fans desired.

Joe Torre passed of his slugger's pitiful performance by saying that, "He's rehabbing right now." Since Torre's days in the Big Apple, he has always established a fair ground with his players built around mutual respect. The last thing the veteran manager wanted to do was to say something negative to the press that would send the athlete into an even deeper slump.

The former-Brave will get Sunday off. Working two days and getting a day off? This is a schedule that the outfielder could get used to.

Juan Pierre for Adam Dunn?

There is a rumor circulating around Los Angeles that the Dodgers may trade Juan Pierre, Chin-Lung Hu and cash for Reds' slugger, Adam Dunn. This rumor has not yet been confirmed by either of the organizations. However, this potential trade would hurt the Dodgers' organization.

Although Adam Dunn has sensational power, evident in his 18 HRs and 44 RBIs in 2008 thus far, he cannot hit for contact. His current .221 average has been hurting the Reds' organization. Since Dodgers fans have been dissatisfied with Andruw Jones' .165 batting-average in 2008, they will probably become angered if Adam Dunn struggles at the plate to hit for contact in a Dodgers' uniform. He's not the full package of power and contact.

The Dodgers cannot afford to lose outfielder, Juan Pierre. Although Pierre has been the subject of criticism in the 2008 Regular Season thus far, his spectacular 34 SBs has been quite beneficial to the Dodgers' offense. He may also serve as a permanent lead-off man until Rafael Furcal fully restores his abilities. After he comes off of the Disabled-List, it is suspected that he will still need some additional time to adjust back to Major League Baseball.

Chin-Lung Hu may not be the future of the Dodgers' organization at second-base. But he is a solid infielder with a bright career ahead of him. Los Angeles may need his duties in the future if one of their middle-infielders hits the Disabled-List or if Delwyn Young, their probable player to succeed Jeff Kent at second-base, struggles. Hu is insurance.

Update: Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones could be back in the Dodgers' line-up by late June. The center-fielder has been "looking comfortable," while taking swings in batting-practice. The off-season arrival was batting around .165 before hitting the Disabled-List with a knee and back injury. Dodgers fans were pleased to see him out of the line-up.

Update: This was his first-time taking batting-practice for the Dodgers since landing on the Disabled-List last month. Jones is listed on the Disabled-List as suffering from torn cartilage in his right-knee. However, it's evidently a combination of various ailments in his back and legs.