Dodgers News: A.J. Ellis’ X-Rays Negative; Available To Catch
In the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis was hit on the hand after a ball ricocheted off Justin Maxwell.
Ellis was replaced by Yasmani Grandal, but the Dodgers would lose two batters later after a controversial call and a sacrifice fly by Joe Panik. The 34-year-old catcher underwent X-rays following the game and the news was positive via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
AJ Ellis said Xrays on his hand were negative but #Dodgers want their doctors in LA to look at Xrays. "Lot of small bones in there"
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 23, 2015
Ellis got the starting nod against Madison Bumgarner in a lineup that consisted of all right-handers. The catcher had a single in the seventh inning that was followed by Alex Guerrero’s game-tying home run.
With the quick turnaround from Wednesday night to Thursday day, the Dodgers weren’t sure if they would have Ellis available to play if needed. He’s not in the starting lineup, and wasn’t expected to be; however he is available if needed to play defense via J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News:
A.J. Ellis is available to catch in relief of Yasmani Grandal. He's thrown. Might not be able to pinch hit. #Dodgers
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 23, 2015
Manager Don Mattingly also mentioned who the third catcher is in case of emergency:
Mattingly specifically ruled this out. Sorry. Van Slyke is the number three today. https://t.co/AK63Krxm3M
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 23, 2015
The Dodgers would be in a dire situation Van Slyke ended up having to catch, and hopefully won’t need to worry about that.
Dodgers 2015 Spring Training – Scott Van Slyke
