Hubbard Having Ups and Downs

Trenidad Hubbard’s most recent strange journey ended Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, where his trip began.

Sunday, for the second time in nine days, the Dodger utilityman was optioned to triple-A Albuquerque. But Hubbard hasn’t played for the Dukes during that span because of moves that enabled the Dodgers to keep him on the 25-man roster.

Hubbard returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday from his home in Houston and was in uniform against the San Francisco Giants.

“This is a business, and sometimes there might be some disregard for the emotions a player is going through,” Hubbard said. “But I understand the moves they’ve made, and I understand their logic.

“I have nothing bad to say about them [team officials] because they’re just trying to win. I have to respect that even if it’s at my expense.”

Hubbard was optioned Sunday to make room on the roster for pitcher Brian Bohanon, who was acquired Friday from the New York Mets for pitcher Greg McMichael. Hubbard had three days to report to Albuquerque, so he returned to Houston to be with his wife, Angela, and son, Jaylen.

A Dodger official contacted him at home Monday and told him to return to Los Angeles because second baseman Eric Young went on the 15-day disabled list because of a right quadriceps strain.

Hubbard was also optioned to Albuquerque after the Dodgers’ 6-3 loss to the Giants on July 3. He was preparing to board a plane July 4 at San Francisco International Airport when a Dodger official located him and told him to return to the ballpark.

The Dodgers traded Paul Konerko and Dennis Reyes to Cincinnati for closer Jeff Shaw that day, and they needed Hubbard as a reserve outfielder.

“It’s definitely been strange,” Hubbard said. “I guess God doesn’t want me to go down because he keeps making all these moves. Either God or [interim General Manager] Tom Lasorda.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (5-7, 3.57 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’ OREL HERSHISER (7-7, 4.01 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Giant left-hander Shawn Estes has a sore throwing shoulder, so Hershiser will start on three days’ rest. Hershiser is making his second start against his former team and his first at Dodger Stadium. He pitched seven strong innings in defeating the Dodgers, 6-3, July 3 at 3Com Park. Understandably, Hershiser said the assignment has stirred strong emotions. “You can’t pitch for a team as long as I did and not have memories and emotions about the stadium, the people you worked with, the things you accomplished together,” Hershiser said. “But I probably felt more pressure to beat the Dodgers in San Francisco than I do here. That was for my new fans, to really cement that I am a Giant.” Hershiser has struggled recently, losing three times in his last four decisions. “I’m ready,” he said. “To me, the more emotional the game seems, the more I can focus.”