While I was losing all of my money at a friend’s bachelor party in Sin City this past weekend, I was reminded by friend at the Las Vegas Review-Journal that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andruw Jones is playing for the local minor league club.
“Good to hear I’m not the only one striking out in Vegas this weekend,” I quipped.
A.J., a one-time star who played in at least 150 games each of the past 11 years before coming to L.A., is rehabbing a knee injury and playing first base for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.
But it turns out Jones is actually playing pretty well for the 51s, which is more than can be said for his numbers with the Dodgers this season (.161 with three homers and 74 strikeouts in 74 games).
Entering this week’s action, Jones was hitting .385 with two home runs and two strikeouts in 13 at-bats with the 51s. He’s also trying his hand at first base for the first time. Reports suggest that Jones reaggravated his knee injury, prompting the move to the infield.
But unless he continues homering in every 6.5 at-bats, there probably won’t be any more room for him in the Dodgers’ outfield now that Manny is being Manny in left.
So for now, Jones must find ways to remain preoccupied in Las Vegas – which might be difficult for a broke writer like me, but shouldn’t be too difficult for a guy who is making $35 million.
