In life without Russell Martin, Dodgers look for help in unexpected places

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Now what?

Now that their workhorse catcher is down for weeks, and possibly even the season.

There are the moments seasons often turn.

A team loses a key player, grows smaller by the game and almost vanishes. Or it comes together, rallies, finds another way and other people to help get it done.

‘Clubs that do well are going to get contributions from unexpected places,’ said Dodgers Manager Joe Torre. ‘We’re certainly going to need that.’’

Russell Martin is out. For at least a month, very likely longer, and possibly even the season. He has a torn labrum in his right hip. There will be a CT scan Thursday. Depending on the tear and where it is, surgery is a possibility.

‘Three weeks on crutches is right now the best-case scenario,’ said Dodgers trainer Stan Conte.

‘We’re hoping this is a nonsurgical situation right now, but that’s still to be determined.’

Hip specialists will be conferred. A decision on treatment is expected in the next couple of days.

But regardless of the decision on surgery, Martin will be out a long time. Even if he’s on weight-bearing crutches for three weeks, it would still be weeks after that before he could realistically return.

So now the Dodgers will have to turn to catchers Brad Ausmus and A.J. Ellis, the former a 41-year-old catcher coming back from back surgery in April and the latter a 29-year-old rookie.

Ausmus, who has already announced he will retire after this season, has been an everyday catcher for most of his 17-year career.

‘Anytime my name is in the lineup, I can catch,’ Ausmus said. ‘If not, then I’ll root A.J. on.’

‘I’m really not worried about it. Whatever Joe needs. If he needs me to catch six days a week, that’s fine. If he needs me to catch once a week, that’s fine. I’m ready for anything.’’

Torre said he would likely split playing time between his two catchers. One or both will need to provide that unexpected help if the Dodgers are going to charge back into the National League West race.

‘The most important thing is not necessarily getting [Martin] back, but that he gets better,’ Torre said. ‘I’m not really looking for him to come back and help us anytime soon.’

Martin, 27, was not having his finest season at the plate. He was batting .248 with five home runs and only 26 RBI.

The timing of his injury on a personal level was poor, with the Dodgers having to determine whether to tender him a contract this offseason. If not, Martin can become a free agent.

Right now, though, there are 54 games yet to play. Fifty-four games to rally, or disappear.

-- Steve Dilbeck