Dodgers sign former Padres outfielder Will Venable to aid bench

In pursuit of a left-handed hitter for the bench, the Dodgers signed former San Diego Padres outfielder Will Venable and activated him before Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Philadelphia Phillies released Venable, 33, three days ago after he hit .205 for the organization’s triple-A affiliate. Venable finished 2015 with a .710 on-base-plus-slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers while playing for San Diego and Texas.

Roberts coached Venable from 2010 to 2015 with the Padres. He vouched for Venable’s ability to aid his current club as a late-game defender, pinch-runner or occasional starter against right-handed pitching.

“We were actively searching internally and outside the organization for someone who can fill that role,” Roberts said. “There’s only so many of those guys available right now. So when the name Will Venable was brought to my attention, then obviously there was some familiarity there. So I was supportive of it.”

The Dodgers entered the market for an extra outfielder after designating Carl Crawford for assignment earlier this month. To make room on the roster for Venable, the team optioned catcher Austin Barnes to triple-A Oklahoma City. Barnes played sparingly in his second stint with the big league club.

Venable understood his stay with the Dodgers may be brief. The team hopes Yasiel Puig will return by June 20 from his rehabilitation assignment for his strained hamstring. Puig hit a home run for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday.

“I like to think that I’m guy who whatever’s asked of me, I get the job done to help the team win,” Venable said. “Whether that’s running the bases well, playing good defense, putting together a tough at-bat out there. Whatever’s asked of me, I like to think that I can get the job done.”

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes