Ellis set to be activated from DL on Tuesday
Dodgers catcher 'ready now' after recovering from right knee inflammation
LOS ANGELES -- Catcher A.J. Ellis should be ready as soon as he's eligible to return from the disabled list on Tuesday, according to manager Don Mattingly.
Ellis has been dealing with right knee inflammation, and he was placed on the disabled list on July 20.
"I think A.J. is probably ready now. He was probably ready a couple days ago," Mattingly said. "If he was an outfielder, or a position where we had a couple extra guys, then we could probably wait out the two or three days."
Ellis has been the Dodgers' backup catcher behind Yasmani Grandal, but he usually catches for Clayton Kershaw. Ellis is hitting .222 this season with two home runs and seven RBIs, but the veteran has posted a .333 average and a .435 on-base percentage in 12 starts since June 1.
"He was swinging the bat good when he got hurt, so [we're] hoping that he's able to pick up right where he left off," Mattingly said.
• Carlos Frias threw four innings Friday night for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga, allowing two runs and striking out eight. His fastball averaged 95 mph and topped out at 97, according to Mattingly.
With the acquisition of two starters -- Mat Latos and Alex Wood -- prior to Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, Frias' spot in the five-man rotation seems filled, although he has worked out of the bullpen in the past.
"I think we're going to want to keep him stretched out for sure, just because you never know what could happen," Mattingly said. "But that's been discussion over time with Carlos; is he a starter, is he a reliever?"