SAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers on Sunday activated Juan Uribe from the disabled list and have him starting at third base in their series finale against the Padres at Petco Park. To make room on the active roster, infielder Miguel Rojas was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Uribe is batting sixth for the Dodgers.
Uribe missed the minimum 15 days and 12 games on the DL with a strained right hamstring, the second time this season he suffered that injury. The first time sidelined Uribe for 34 games in May and June.
Uribe, 35, is hitting .293/.320/.411 with six home runs and 18 doubles in 81 games this season, the first season of a two-year contract signed in December. He is also the best defensive infielder among Dodgers regulars.
Manager Don Mattingly said on Saturday that Uribe would go back to starting at third base even though Justin Turner has been on fire since filling in. Turner started 10 of the 12 games at third base during this DL stint for Uribe and hit .425/.477/.600, 17-for-40 with four doubles and a home run.
Turner on the season is hitting .325/.394/.449 but Mattingly said he didn't want to overwork Turner, who has a history of leg injuries, and that Turner would resume more of a reserve role, with spot starts around the infield as needed.
Rojas hit .195/.259/.242 in 64 games with the Dodgers. Rojas started 24 games at shortstop, nine games at third base and another two at second base. Rojas even saw time in one game in left field, for two innings.
Rojas won't be off the roster for long. With Albuquerque's season ending on Monday, he is eligible to return to the Dodgers on Tuesday.