Dodgers call up PCL batting leader

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' bench gained versatility in the field and at the plate after the club purchased the contract of Terry Tiffee from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday in a corresponding move to placing Andruw Jones on the disabled list.

Tiffee, a switch-hitter, can play both corner outfield positions and give first baseman James Loney a day off against tough lefties.

"He just gives us a guy who gives us some options," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre.

Tiffee said he is comfortable coming off the bench, and he knows how to prepare for the role after spending three years doing that for the Minnesota Twins from 2004-06.

The utility player had been smoking hot for Las Vegas, leading the Pacific Coast League in batting average (.422) and doubles (24) while also hitting four home runs, driving in 31 runs and scoring 40.

"[I'm doing] nothing really different, just trying to have good at-bats, getting a good pitch to hit, being a little bit more patient and adjusting a few things in my swing, trying to get back to where I was a couple years ago when I was hitting pretty good," Tiffee said. "It seemed to work out and just finding a few holes, so that helps, too."

Although Tiffee said it felt good to see his hot start lead to a call up, it does not compare to the first time he got that call four years ago.

"It's definitely not the same," he said. "First time you're kind of in awe and all that. You always get that feeling when you get called up, but the first time you're up it's totally different.

"The more [time] you spend in the Minors and you get a chance to come up, the more you appreciate being up here and knowing that you want to stay up here."