Dodgers Recall Austin Barnes, Place A.J. Ellis On Disabled List
UPDATE (July 20, 2:45 p.m. PT): According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis began to feel discomfort in his right knee on the club’s flight to Atlanta:
Ellis' knee started bothering him last night on plane. MRI showed no structural damage.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 20, 2015
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With Yasmani Grandal sidelined after taking a ball fouled off of his mask in the sixth inning of Sunday’s game, the Los Angeles Dodgers recalled catcher Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Atlanta Braves.
To get Barnes on the active roster the Dodgers placed A.J. Ellis on the 15-day disabled list with right knee inflammation. Ellis replaced Grandal on Sunday, extended his hitting streak to a modest six games and had a rather candid exchange with Zack Greinke.
Barnes had one previous stint with the Dodgers this season, making his MLB debut in late May and remaining with the team through early June. He recorded just one hit in five at-bats over five games, but improved at the plate since being optioned back to OKC.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Barnes slashed .290/.390/.430. He then raised his averages to .304/.385/.484 after his brief time in the Majors. In 62 Triple-A games, Barnes has eight home runs, 13 doubles and 28 RBIs.
Matt Wisler is taking the mound for the Braves, making just his sixth start in the Majors. However, despite playing at the same level every year since 2011, Wisler and Barnes have never faced each other.
Barnes makes his second start with the Dodgers this season and is batting eighth. He’ll work with Brandon Beachy, as was the case in Beachy’s final two rehab starts with OKC.
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