Dodgers catcher Ramon Hernandez has been designated for assignment to make room for A.J. Ellis, who is returning from the disabled list, the team announced via twitter.
Dodgers designate Ramon Hernandez for assignment
With A.J. Ellis returning from the disabled list, the Dodgers have designated Ramon Hernandez for assignment.
USA TODAY Sports
Hernandez was acquired from the Rockies just after the start of the season in a trade that sent pitcher Aaron Harang to Colorado. At that point, the Dodgers had seven starting pitchers on their staff, and there was widespread speculation that they would trade one for additional depth. Hernandez seemed to provided that extra depth, giving them a more experienced backup to Ellis in place of 25-year-old Tim Federowicz. However, Hernandez has struggled this season, hitting just .208/.291/.438 in 55 plate appearances. Since that deal, the Dodgers have been hit hard with injuries to their pitching staff, losing Chad Billingsley to Tommy John surgery for the season and coping with DL stints from Zack Greinke, Josh Beckett, Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly.
With Ellis back behind the plate regularly, it appears that the Dodgers now prefer to keep Federowicz around as the back up.
The team now has ten days to see if there is any market for Hernandez’s services before they are forced to either release him or place him on waivers. The 37-year old is a veteran of fifteen major league seasons and a career .263/.327/.417 hitter, which should coudl him appealing to any team in need of an experienced backup.
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