A.J. Ellis (Could Be) Out For Season With Torn Meniscus, Requires Surgery
By Scott Andes

I’m not sure how many of you have heard by now, but I am assuming that most of you have heard the horrible news. A.J. Ellis has a torn meniscus, and will have to have season ending (possibly season ending, we don’t know yet, I’m sorry for jumping the gun here, it’s late and I’m tired, so give me a break) arthroscopic surgery tomorrow. Dr. ElAttrache will perform the surgery.
Was this the play that A.J. hurt his knee?-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Dodgers announced the news a few hours ago, and it came as a total shock to us all. We had heard that A.J.’s knee was bothering him, and he was kept out of the lineup on Sunday night. All the club had said was that he had a sore knee. We assumed, or I assumed that he would be back in the lineup on Tuesday, with Monday being an off day.
#Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear tomorrow morning in Los Angeles.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 8, 2014
Not the case. If you remember A.J. did have a cleanup procedure done on his knee two seasons ago, but not sure if this injury is related or not. I guess we’ll find out more tomorrow.
Apparently Dylan Hernandez is reporting A.J. could be back in 4-6 weeks, but I think that’s unlikely.
Could be worse: I'm told A.J. Ellis could return from surgery in 4-6 weeks.
— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) April 8, 2014
And how did A.J. hurt his knee? Makes you wonder if he hurt his knee during his slide into home plate on Saturday afternoon’s 7-2 loss to the Giants. That was the play the Dodgers challenged, but lost anyways, as A.J. was called out.
I don’t trust the medical staff at all. They just can’t keep the players healthy. Now where do the Dodgers go from here? Obviously they’ll have to call up Tim Federowicz, but this also means more of Drew Butera, which is bad. Really bad.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Dodgers also still have Miguel Olivo. After all of his complaining, he accepted a minor league assignment, and is currently in Albuquerque. The Dodgers are going to have to get a catcher. This makes you think about the future of the catcher position for the Dodgers. The Dodgers don’t have anyone behind Fedex, and A.J. is 32, and having major knee surgery. The Dodgers need another catcher.
A.J. Ellis has been the club’s spiritual, and emotional compass for the last few seasons. He’s been a leader on the field, and in the clubhouse. This is a huge blow to the Dodger’s postseason hopes. What do the Dodgers do now? Where do we go from here?