Federowicz getting more playing time with Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Now that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has a younger backup catcher in Tim Federowicz, apparently he's going to use him.

Federowicz started Tuesday night against the Giants and rookie starter Mike Kickham, Federowicz's second start in three games.

Mattingly said starter A.J. Ellis, who caught Hyun-Jin Ryu on Monday night, caught four consecutive days last week and was expected to catch "the next couple," according to Mattingly.

Mattingly said Ellis was just "getting a day" and gave no indication he was considering a platoon, but he is starting Federowicz more frequently than he did Ramon Hernandez, who was released after starting 11 of the first 65 games, four while Ellis was on the disabled list.

"I like A.J. with [Clayton] Kershaw, and he and Zack [Greinke] hooked up good last time," said Mattingly. "I look at Fed, he calls a good game, he's a good defensive catcher."

Offensively, Federowicz entered Tuesday hitting .185 with two homers and nine RBIs in 25 games, while Ellis was hitting .266 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 50 games. Ellis had thrown out 17 of 33 potential basestealers (third in the league). Federowicz had thrown out four of 10.