Dodgers Top-10 pitching prospect Jose De Leon has been placed on the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7-day disabled list for what is being called a very very minor groin strain.

“It’s not that bad,” said De Leon prior to Thursday night’s Home Opener at LoanMart Field. “I’m getting some really good treatment for it and it already feels better.”

The 22-year-old Isabela, Puerto Rico native has made two starts with the Quakes thus far this season and has pitched exceptionally well. And although he has yet to figure in a decision, he has allowed only two earned runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out 13 in his nine innings of work.

De Leon said that he first noticed a slight tightness in his groin after making a pitch in his second start on Tuesday night against the Inland Empire 66ers.

“I didn’t feel a pop or anything like that, it just felt a little tight,” De Leon said. “And then [Quakes pitching coach] Bill Simas noticed that my velocity had dropped from 92-93 to 88-89 and they decided to take me out [after the fourth inning].”

De Leon, who was scheduled to make his third start of the season on Sunday against the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres), said that he expects to miss only one start.

De Leon’s 13 strikeout are nearly twice that of any other Quakes starter.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In a corresponding roster move, Jordan Hershiser – son of former Dodgers great Orel Hershiser – has been activated from the disabled list.