From DodgerThoughts:
After tonight’s game, the Dodgers placed Will Ohman on the disabled list, according to Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner (via Dodger Thoughts commenter Dave60). The team called up catcher A.J. Ellis, moving back to a 12-man pitching staff and freeing Brad Ausmus to pinch-hit more frequently.
Well, then. Ellis is likely only up for a week or so until Hiroki Kuroda’s ready to return from the DL, so this isn’t really a huge deal either way. I’m just not quite sure I understand why a team with only one backup outfielder and two backup infielders is investing in a third catcher. Ellis is doing nicely at Albuquerque (.819 OPS), but he’s hardly the superstar of the club. Infielders Blake DeWitt (.908) and Hector Luna (1.086!!), along with outfielder Dee Brown (1.020) and 1B/3B/OF Mitch Jones (.977, 15 HR) have all been productive. (Hmm, I sense that Jones is going to be this year’s Terry Tiffee).
Granted, Ausmus is hitting much better than we’d thought (which should tell you something when even that is just a 106 OPS+), but I just don’t see how having him available to pinch hit is better than having one of the aforementioned guys who are both swinging the bat well in AAA and offer positional flexibility that this team could probably use.
On the other hand, when this is the biggest thing we have to complain about – and it’s not really even a complaint, as much as an observation – you know things are going fantastically.
As for Ohman, you’re almost glad to see that something’s wrong because he’s been lousy lately. Rotoworld says it’s a “sore left shoulder”, but nothing too serious, which is basically doublespeak for “you’ve been bad, go take a break, we’ll make something up.” He better turn it around upon his return, if only because he’s the funniest guy on the team, by far.