Ryan

Langerhans

This situation could even grow into a platoon opportunity with Brian Jordan in left field. Langerhans, 25, hit .298/.397/.518 in 135 games for Triple-A Richmond in 2004. He qualifies as a sleeper.

Langerhans will be used as a lefty pinch-hitter.

Langerhans pulled the muscle while warming up for Tuesday’s game. “I don’t think that it’s anything serious, but it still hurts,” Langerhans said. He remains day-to-day.

Even though he said he felt good enough to play left field, Langerhans missed a fifth straight start due to a strained left hip. Matt Diaz went 1-for-3 with a walk in his place, but he also committed a misplay in left field that turned into a double for Alex Gonzalez.

Matt Diaz replaced him. Langerhans is day-to-day.

Langershans didn’t take advantage of Jones’ absence the previous two games, going 1-for-7 with four strikeouts. He’s batting .188 with no homers since the All-Star break, though that has come with 12 walks in 48 at-bats.

It was his first homer since July 3. With Matt Diaz continuing to play well, Langerhans is only going to see limited action in left field. Maybe he’ll get one start this weekend.

Matt Diaz, who has been getting most of the playing time in left field lately, took over the assignment.

His homer tonight came on the first pitch of Josh Kinney’s major league career. Langerhans hadn’t homered in five weeks before going deep Sunday. In fact, he went without an RBI in 40 at-bats during June. Now that he’s recovered from a strained left hip, he seems ready to contribute. Don’t expect big numbers at all, but he should have some positive value in NL-only leagues.

He should be back to normal in the next day or two. Langerhans, a non-roster invitee, is 2-for-10 this spring in his quest to win a bench spot on the Opening Day roster.