John Ely to start for Dodgers on Sunday against Padres [Update: Hector Gimenez to DL]
It’s the return of John Ely. Anyway, his return for at least one game.
Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said after Saturday night’s game that the right-hander would be called up from triple-A Albuquerque and start Sunday’s series finale against the Padres.
That means, naturally, a player has to be sent down. That part of the equation he did not share. It’s presumed to be catcher A.J. Ellis, who has options left, as opposed to catcher Hector Gimenez, who does not. Personally, I’d stick with Ellis -- who turned 30 Saturday -- over Gimenez, who really hasn’t shown anything during the early going.
[Updated, 11:04 a.m.: Guess there was a reason the Dodgers did not announce who was making room for Ely on Saturday night. They were still making up their minds.
At first on Sunday, the Dodgers said Ellis was going down to triple-A Albuquerque and he was packing his bags. Then he was unpacking them. The Dodgers said Gimenez had right knee pain and placed him on the 15-day disabled list. Ellis was back.]
He got the call over Tim Redding, partially because Ely is already on the 40-man roster. To start Redding, the Dodgers would have had to add him to the 40-man roster, which would have guaranteed his $750,000 salary. Which, even if you weren’t hurting, is a lot of money to pay for possibly just one start.
Ely filled in last year, too, and hung around awhile. During an early, six-game stretch, he went 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA. Alas, in his last 11 starts he went 1-8 with an 8.00 ERA.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher John Ely. Credit: Ben Liebenberg / US Presswire
in "other" minor league news, much heralded (?over-hyped?) SS prospect Gordon now has 3 AAA games under his belt, w/Xactly that same number of errors.....name change in order from "D"ee to just "EE" (as this dude clearly has NO "D"!!!!!!)
Posted by: MoveHimTo2B | 04/10/2011 at 08:42 AM
If ever there was a team and a stadium where even Bad Ely has a chance, this is the one. Good Ely at least gets a draw.
Posted by: Labeldude | 04/10/2011 at 08:54 AM
Didn't take long for Furcal to get hurt. Prediction: Injury will "nag" him all season and serve as an excuse for another injury-plagued season.
Posted by: Hollywood Mark | 04/10/2011 at 09:01 AM
Can I get a refund?
Posted by: Unlucky Ticket Holder | 04/10/2011 at 09:55 AM
i'll be at the game, hoping for the return of elymania!
Posted by: johnnie b. baker | 04/10/2011 at 10:48 AM
Ned called Frank and asked if he could guarantee Redding's contract and Frank denied the request. I am sure the other big market teams like the Red Sox and Yankees would worry about this type of thing! YEAH RIGHT!
Fans have no idea how bad McCourt cripples this franchise!
Posted by: campc4 | 04/10/2011 at 11:21 AM
Just the excuse Colletti needed for that stiff, Gimenez. Can't wait to Navarro back. Yeah, right. Now there's another waste of money.
Posted by: Since '58 | 04/10/2011 at 12:11 PM
best use of that "saved" $750,000 would be toward the capture of the miserables who attacked the giants fans in the parking lot.
Go away frank. just go away.
Posted by: alanw19 | 04/10/2011 at 12:45 PM
Leave it to 'Jose' Gimenez to provide the early season laugh track... waylaid the heretofore relative safety end o' dudger bench, sent the DL aft just 7 games - he sat 4, pinch hit thrice & caught 1 game... reported "swelling" the cause (of which part the anatomy be the question.)
Posted by: 16blows | 04/10/2011 at 01:59 PM
If they miss playoffs by one game this will be Franks fault for not stepping up! What a pile of crap!
Posted by: campc4 | 04/10/2011 at 04:29 PM
Hell, if this team misses the playoffs by one game it will be a miracle.
Posted by: Labeldude | 04/10/2011 at 05:31 PM
Yes very true! Frank has screwed this team up so bad, it is sickening!
Posted by: campc4 | 04/10/2011 at 06:53 PM