Marshall on Disabled List

Dodger right fielder Mike Marshall, who has been in and out of the lineup for the last three weeks because of a stiff lower back, was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

To replace him, the Dodgers recalled outfielder Jose Gonzalez from their Albuquerque farm team. Gonzalez, who was in Hawaii with the Dukes, is scheduled to arrive here at 6 this morning and is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game.

Marshall, who leads the Dodgers in home runs with 18, is batting just .167 in his last 12 games, and has just one home run since June 17. He has undergone tests on his back, but the cause of the stiffness has not been found.

On July 11, Marshall received injections from Dr. Robert Watkins, a back specialist, that were supposed to enable him to do exercises designed to alleviate the stiffness. But the condition has persisted, and team officials decided Monday to see whether rest would help.

Gonzalez, 21, had been given an outside chance of beating out Ken Landreaux for the center fielder’s job this spring. But he batted .043 in exhibition play, with no home runs and eight strikeouts.

In Albuquerque, Gonzalez--who may be the best defensive outfielder in the Dodger organization--has been bothered sporadically by a groin pull. He has been limited to pinch-hitting appearances in the last four games.

The Dodgers have had 12 disabling injuries this season.