Before today’s game with the Phillies, Dodger manager Joe Torre said A.J. Ellis would be recalled before Friday’s game, giving the Dodgers three catchers. Ellis would have been recalled today, the first day that rosters can expand, but per baseball rules a player who was optioned to the minors can’t be recalled to the majors for 10 days unless replacing an injured player. Ellis was optioned after the game on Aug. 22, so today was the 10th required day of his assignment.
Pitcher Vicente Padilla, who was placed on the disabled list after his last start on August 15, will start for the Dodgers Monday night in San Diego, per Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles. Padilla had a pinched nerve in his neck.
In injury news, Rafael Furcal played the first of two rehab games with the Triple A Albuquerque Isotopes tonight, and had a double and a triple in three at-bats. Furcal also played five innings at shortstop, and if all goes well he could be in the Dodger lineup Friday night against the Giants. Furcal last played on Aug. 2, and has missed 60 games this season.