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Feeling for the hitless wonder that is Eugenio Velez

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I feel for Eugenio Velez.

I know, not a popular sentiment. It’s so much more fun to laugh at his 0-for-25 start as a Dodger. EugeniO-for-whatever. In truth, I snicker too, though not without a tinge of guilt.

It’s not his fault he’s in this situation. In most any other organization –- that would be one that hasn’t been decimated by injuries all season -– he doesn’t get a sniff with the major league club.

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But the Dodgers are so depleted that he remains in the majors. Anyway, in their minds, he’s more valuable than calling up Ivan De Jesus Jr. If that logic escapes you, don’t blame him.

Here are a couple of surprising notes about Velez, at least considering his current state: 1) He actually had 160 career major league hits with the Giants; 2) He was triple-A Albuquerque’s leading hitter (.339) when called up.

Now, of course, he couldn’t hit sand if he fell face first in the Sahara. TrueBlueLA’s Eric Stephens said his 0-for-25 stretch matches J.D. Drew for worst start to a Dodgers career by a position player since 1919. Yes, we’re reaching historic heights. Dodger Talk’s Joe Block said Velez’s last hit came June 30 for Albuquerque.

He’s overmatched, but really, he’s not this bad. He’s not good enough to be here, but the embarrassment really isn’t his; it’s the Dodgers’ for being in position to have him here.

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