It’s been nearly two months since banished former MLB catcher Miguel Olivo partially bit off the left ear off of Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero. This senseless (and criminal) act more than likely prevented the 27-year-old Cuban shortstop-turned-second baseman from being promoted to the Dodgers. At the time of this inexcusable act, which brought an abrupt end to Olivo’s professional career, Guerrero had a smoking hot triple slash of .376/.417/.735. The incident forced the Dodgers to call up fellow Cuban Erisbel Arruebarrena from Double-A Chattanooga and later Carlos Triunfel from Triple-A Albuquerque – both of whom have been on a merry-go-round between L.A. and Albuquerque ever since.

After a good showing in spring training, Alex Guerrero was having a great season at Triple-A Albuquerque – until Miguel Olivo bit his ear off. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

On Sunday morning the Dodgers announced that Arruebarrena, who had just been recalled on July 3 to replace a struggling Triunfel (who was sent back down – again), had been placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 5) for a right hip flexor strain and Triunfel once again recalled.

Triunfel was 2 for 7 with three RBIs in his two games with the Isotopes since being sent back down on July 3. On the season Triunfel is .213 with one home run and 17 RBIs in 54 games with the ‘Topes. In the ten games in which he has appeared with the Dodgers thus far this season, Triunfel is 2 for 13 (.154) with one home run and one RBI. He had a horrible game on July 2 in which he committed a costly error and struck out twice in an ugly 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians, thus prompting his return to Albuquerque and the recalling of Arruebarrena.

Since being recalled on July 3, Arruebarrena was 1 for 3 with an RBI with the Dodgers, but more importantly has been brilliant with the glove while filling in at shortstop for the oft-ailing Hanley Ramirez. On the season Arruebarrena is 5 for 16 (.313) with a double and two RBIs in his eight games with the Dodgers.

This revolving door situation clearly shows the weakness in the Dodgers drafting and farm system over the past several years – a situation that new ownership has addressed in the past two drafts. Unfortunately, those drafted under new ownership, such as 2012 first rounder Corey Seager, are still at least one full season away from being MLB-ready.

While there is no way of knowing how well Alex Guerrero would have done at the major league level had Olivo not bitten his ear off, one thing is clear – his curse over the Dodgers continues.