Dodgers will have lineup decisions to make when Juan Uribe returns

PHILADELPHIA — Juan Uribe is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday and Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said he plans to play him at third base.

Mattingly has also said he intends to continue playing Jerry Hairston Jr. at second base because he wants to build continuity in the middle of the infield.

So where does that leave Elian Herrera?

If he continues to play the way he has, Mattingly said he will find a place for him.

The 27-year-old rookie utility man entered Wednesday batting .304. He drove in the winning run in each of the Dodgers’ two previous games.

“If you’re getting two hits every night, you keep playing,” Mattingly said, laughing. “If you keep driving in the winning run every night, you keep playing.”

Herrera figures to get starts in center field or at third base on days Uribe rests. He could also play second base when Hairston takes a day off.

“We’ll figure it out,” Mattingly said. “There are plenty of days for everybody, it seems like.”

Lineup decisions will ultimately be based on performance.

“The game tells you what to do with guys,” Mattingly said. “I’m not going to sit here and say Elian’s going to play every day or not going to play.”

Uribe, who is in the second year of a three-year, $21-million contract, was batting .250 with a home run and 10 runs batted in in 25 games when he sustained a wrist injury May 14.

Uribe is scheduled to play for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga from Friday to Sunday. He thinks he will be ready to be activated Monday for the start of the Dodgers’ home series against the Angels.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Uribe said. “I’ve felt good practicing, but practicing is a lot different from the games.”

The last three weeks were difficult for Uribe.

“I like to play,” he said. “I had to sit and watch.”

Uribe acknowledged that his left wrist has bothered him for a couple of years.

“My wrist feels fine now,” he said. “But it’s not 100%. It’s been years since it’s been 100%.”

On the mend

Tom Lasorda is expected to be released from New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Thursday, according to the Dodgers. Lasorda has been hospitalized since Monday, when he suffered a mild heart attack.

Mattingly said he spoke to Lasorda on Wednesday.

“He’s doing good, he sounds good,” Mattingly said. “He said to tell everybody hello.”

Short hops

On the third and last day of the amateur draft, the Dodgers selected the sons of former Dodgers Orel Hershiser and Jose Vizcaino. Jordan Hershiser, an injury-prone right-hander from USC, was drafted in the 34th round. Jose Vizcaino Jr., an infielder from Francis Parker High in San Diego, was taken two rounds later. … Former Dodger Steve Garvey’s son was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 33rd round. Ryan Garvey is an outfielder at Riverside Community College. … Team President Stan Kasten will participate in a question-and-answer session with fans at 3 p.m. Thursday via the Dodgers’ Twitter account @Dodgers. Fans can tweet questions, along with the hashtag #DodgerChat, to the Dodgers’ Twitter account.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com