Unexpected Justin Ruggiano, 33, making Dodgers’ stretch contribution

In a rush of last-day moves to get players within the Dodgers organization so they’d be eligible for the postseason, the addition of Justin Ruggiano might have gone almost unnoticed if Manager Don Mattingly hadn’t immediately inserted the outfielder into the lineup.

Still, it just seemed to be some temporary thing until healthy bodies returned.

Only, here it is 2 1/2 weeks later and Mattingly is still sending Ruggiano out there, and perhaps more surprising to most, he is still delivering.

Ruggiano has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games. Since he was acquired from the Mariners on Aug. 31, he has hit .364 (12 for 33) with four doubles, a triple, three home runs and 11 RBIs. He’s played in 11 of 16 games this month. Lately, Mattingly has taken to batting him in the leadoff spot and he’s flourished there too.

“It seems like he’s getting a hit every time he leads off,” Mattingly said.

This is an unlikely contribution for a 33-year-old the Mariners sent to the Dodgers for cash. He had been playing for their triple-A Tacoma team after having hit just .214 with the Mariners through early June.

And now here he is, hitting against every left-handed pitcher the Dodgers face. This is his fifth team in nine years, with each stop including a stint in the minors. Not the typical major league ride. Who could have foreseen him making this kind of contribution to the Dodgers down the stretch?

“I don’t really ever foresee anything happening in this game because of the crazy ride I’ve been on,” Ruggiano said. “But when it does happen and I get the opportunity, I’m very thankful for it and hope to make the most of it and really just help contribute.

“This team is solid. All I want to do is be a part of it.”

He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round in 2004, but was traded two years later to Tampa, whose general manager was Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ current head of baseball operations. Friedman knew Ruggiano could hit left-handers.

And if he’s always hit them better, it’s never been like the splits he’s putting up this season -- .311/.373/.639 versus left-handers and .154/.283/.282 against right-handers.

He’s been so successful for the Dodgers, he has to be a postseason roster consideration. He’s playing a lot now partially because right-handed hitting outfielder Scott Van Slyke has been out with a cyst on his hand. He’s expected back soon, but Ruggiano could still play the other corner spot if Yasiel Puig doesn’t return from his hamstring issue.

“Honestly, I don’t really think about that,” Ruggiano said. “I just think about the day-to-day process of what we have to do and get ready to play.”

His crazy ride has never taken him to the postseason.