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Dodgers’ injury carousel continues: Rod Barajas to DL, Hong-Chih Kuo activated, A.J. Ellis up and Ramon Troncoso down

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One’s up, one’s down.

Is it progress when you’re no longer going backward?

The Dodgers placed catcher Rod Barajas on the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday’s game and called up A.J. Ellis from triple-A Albuquerque.

They also activated reliever Hong-Chih Kuo from the DL and optioned Ramon Troncoso back to Albuquerque.

The Dodgers have now placed 14 different players on the disabled list this season, a total of 19 different times. Entering Sunday, they had missed a total of 449 games. And it’s only June 19.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Barajas’ ankle injury did not appear to be as serious as originally feared, and it was hoped he could be activated at the end of his 15-day period on the DL. This, however, leaves the anemic-hitting Dioner Navarro (.156, .207 on-base percentage, .221 slugging) as their current No.1 catcher.

Ellis was hitting .307 with 12 doubles, 11 RBI and a .482 on-base percentage at Albuquerque.

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Mattingly said he was uncertain if he would rotate Navarro, a switch hitter, and Ellis as starting catcher.

“We’ll just see how it goes,’’ he said.

With Saturday’s addition of Kenley Jansen and now with Kuo, at least the bullpen is beginning to resemble its intended conformation. Kuo had been on the DL since May 10 with an anxiety disorder.

“He has a good look in his eyes,’’ Mattingly said. “He’s a kid who has been through a lot. You just realize that he’s ready.’’

By sending down Troncoso (6.23 ERA) and keeping rookie Scott Elbert, the Dodgers have two left-handers in their bullpen for the first time this season.

-- Third base coach Tim Wallach was not with the club Sunday. His father died Saturday. He is expected to miss at least a couple of days.

Wallack was told during Saturday’s game, and coach Trey Hillman took over at third the last couple of innings.

-- Steve Dilbeck

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