Worth noting

• Outfield prospect Matt den Dekker hopes to begin swinging a bat regularly next week in his continued rehab from a fractured right wrist. den Dekker has been swinging with his left hand only, according to Collins, because his right wrist atrophied while in a cast.

• Jordany Valdespin started his first game in 15 days Saturday, replacing Marlon Byrd in right field. Valdespin has been marginalized since the acquisition of Rick Ankiel, who has started every day in center against right-handed pitchers. That has left Byrd, Valdespin and Mike Baxter to fight for playing time in right, with Byrd and Baxter receiving most of it.