When the Dodgers picked up 24-year-old Carlos Triunfel off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners on April 2, 2014, they knew that he was a smooth multi-position utility infielder. In fact, in the 27 total games in which he appeared with the Mariners in 2012 and 2013, he committed only three errors at shortstop and none at second or third base. Unfortunately, in his 71 total plate appearances Triunfel went 11 for 66 (.167) with three doubles, five RBIs and one walk while striking out 15 times. In other words, the Dodgers acquired the Santiago, Dominican Republic native for his glove not his bat.

After being acquired, the Dodgers sent Triunfel (pronounced Tree-unh-fell) to Triple-A Albuquerque where he continued to flash the leather but his offensive numbers still left a lot to be desired. In 51 games with the Isotopes Triunfel hit a rather dismal .212 (38 for 179) with six doubles and one home run. He had only 14 RBIs and his on-base percentage was a lackluster .253 and slugging percentage only .263 for a rather weak .515 OPS.

In spite of his less-than-stellar minor league numbers, Triunfel was called up to the Dodgers on April 27 when it looked as though Hanley Ramirez might be unavailable due to a thumb injury. Unfortunately, Triunfel’s stay with the big club was short-lived as he was optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque two days later without appearing in even one game in order to make room on the Dodgers roster for left-hander Paco Rodriguez, who was needed to help the bullpen during a long road trip.

As fate would have it, Triunfel was called back up to the Dodgers on June 14 when utility infielder/outfielder Chone Figgins landed on the disabled list with a strained left quad. Since being recalled, Triunfel has not only looked good defensively at shortstop but he’s batting 1.000 – literally.

Okay, two hits in two at bats is not exactly a large sample size, but one of those hits was a crucial solo home run to give the Dodgers a huge insurance run in their 4-2 win over the Rockies on June 17. In that game the Rockies had the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the 9th before Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen retired the side to secure the win for Dodgers co-ace Zack Greinke and Jansen’s 20th save of the season.

Carlos Triunfel’s first career home run on Tuesday night gave the Dodgers a much-needed insurance run in their eventual 4-2 win over the Rockies. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

“He’d doing fine,” said Mattingly prior to Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter on Wednesday night. “I think he’s a kid that’s pretty comfortable with the glove. That’s always kinda been the M.O. when we got him. We knew we got a kid that’s going to be slick with the glove. They didn’t talk too much about his hitting but he’s made a little noise already, so [he’s] pretty good so far.”

As every Dodger fan knows by now, it was Hanley Ramirez’s throwing error in the 7th inning of Kershaw’s no-hitter that prevented it from becoming baseball’s 24th perfect game. Ramirez had suffered an abrasion to the ring finger of his right (throwing) hand the day before but was deemed okay to play by Dodgers Vice President of Medical Services Stan Conte. Triunfel replaced Ramirez the following inning but wasn’t involved in any defensive plays.

“That was a really tough play,” said Kershaw of Hanley’s error. “I think under normal circumstances that’d be a very… that’s pretty close to a hit. [Rockies left fielder Cory] Dickerson’s really fast and Hanley did all he could. He made a great play, his throw was a little wide so there’s nothing you can do with that, it was a tough play.”

There are many who argue that Stan Conte never should have allowed Hanley Ramirez to play on Wednesday night and that allowing him to do so cost Kershaw a perfect game. Then again, hindsight is always 20/20. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Barring any setbacks during his current rehab assignment with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe could be reactivated from the DL as early as Sunday. This could put Triunfel’s current call-up with the Dodgers at risk. That being said and if Triunfel continues to swing a hot bat, it could be utility infielder/outfielder Jamie Romak (who is 1 for 17 (.089) since his May 28 call-up), that gets optioned back down to Albuquerque instead.