Hubbard Misses Family Reunion

This was supposed to be a special week for Trenidad Hubbard--the top Dodger reserve last season--and his extended family.

Eight members of Hubbard’s family, including his mother, traveled to Phoenix from their Chicago homes to attend the Arizona Diamondbacks’ home opener Monday against the Dodgers.

They purchased tickets more than a month ago, excited about watching Hubbard begin his second full season in the major leagues, with the Dodgers. Only one problem: Hubbard isn’t in the majors.

While his family was in Phoenix, Hubbard was playing right field for triple-A Albuquerque against Oklahoma City. Hubbard was optioned to Albuquerque the day before the season began, failing to make the 25-man roster after beginning spring training as the fifth outfielder.

Now, Hubbard, 32, is hoping to find his way back to the big leagues, probably with another team.

“We looked at this week as a family reunion in Arizona, and I guess it’s still a family reunion, only minus me,” Hubbard said in a phone interview shortly before playing in the Dukes’ game. “I know you have to adjust in this game, and that’s what I’m trying to do, but it’s really not easy now because I’m here and they’re out there.

“I’m just trying to keep my spirits up. This is the hardest I’ve had to fight to stay pumped up, especially because of the way everything happened.”

What happened is that Jacob Brumfield, a nonroster player, earned the last roster spot by outplaying Hubbard during spring training.

In fairness to Hubbard, he was slowed throughout the exhibition season after suffering a severely sprained right thumb March 8 in a jarring outfield collision with minor league outfielder Hiram Bocachica.

Still, Hubbard believes he should have made the team based on his performance last season, batting .298 with seven home runs and 18 runs batted in during 94 games.

“I seriously don’t believe I belong here,” said Hubbard, who was batting .333 (three for nine) through four games with the Dukes. “You wouldn’t think that I would be here after the things I did last year.

“It would be different if I batted .190 or .200, but to almost bat .300 and have my job taken away because I was injured, that hurts.”

Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone is trying to accommodate Hubbard with a trade, and two agents familiar with the situation said the Seattle Mariners are among a few teams pursuing Hubbard. But that wasn’t much comfort to Hubbard or his disappointed family Monday.

*

Right fielder Raul Mondesi was selected the National League player of the week after batting .381 (eight for 21) with four homers and 10 RBIs in six games during the opening week. In all of last April, Mondesi, a three-time winner of the award, had four homers and 11 RBIs. . . . As expected, left-hander Greg Cadaret was released Monday after rejecting a minor league assignment. Cadaret, who failed to make the 25-man roster, is owed $375,000 this season. If he signs with another team for the major league minimum of $200,000, the Dodgers would be on the hook for $175,000. . . . Minor league pitcher Arnold Gooch, acquired in the Todd Hundley deal, was also released. . . . Center fielder Devon White, who played with the Diamondbacks last season, received a warm greeting from fans when his name was announced in the opening lineup.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (1-0, 2.35 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’ ARMANDO REYNOSO (0.0, 6.75 ERA)

At Bank One Ballpark, 7 p.m. PDT

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

* Update--Valdes pitched 7 2/3 strong innings in a 6-4 victory over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, giving up five hits and two runs. Reynoso is making his first start after three relief appearances.