Dodgers activate Justin Turner, return Jose Peraza to triple A

Justin Turner, who had an MRSA infection on his right thigh, was activated from the disabled list before Thursday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Dodgers returned rookie Jose Peraza to triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Turner on the 25-man roster.

Turner was not in the lineup, but Manager Don Mattingly said he could be used like any other reserve and expected to start him Friday.

Turner had been batting in the middle of the order and playing in four-game stretches before his leg infection. Mattingly said his role will be the same.

“Nobody said anything to me about easing him back in,” Mattingly said.

Turner leads the Dodgers in hitting (.323) and slugging percentage (.563), and is tied for third with Yasmani Grandal on the team with 44 runs batted in.

Peraza, 21, appeared in two games for the Dodgers, with a triple in six at-bats. He came to the Dodgers in the nonwaiver trade deadline deal with the Braves.

“We didn’t get to see a whole lot of him,” Mattingly said. “His speed is obvious. He puts the ball in play. We like him. Right now just isn’t the right time.”

Mattingly also said Grandal has a sore (non-throwing) left shoulder. He was out of the lineup Thursday against the Reds.

“We just don’t want it to get to the point where it affects his swing,” Mattingly said.