By Jon Weisman
Yasmani Grandal catches most Zack Greinke starts, as well as most games against right-handed pitching, but his ailing shoulder might keep him doing so Thursday in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Don Mattingly said that Grandal is able to play defensively, but it’s a question whether he can bat effectively, saying that Grandal is “a bit more on the 50-50 line” about whether he could start.
“Talking with Stan Conte today, who’s been talking with Yasmani, he feels good today,” Mattingly said. “His range of motion is better. I think he expects there’s a pretty good chance of him being able to play tomorrow … but obviously that could change if we get there, he takes a few swings and can’t do anything at all.”
Grandal has a two-run Game 3 single among his eight NLDS at-bats. A.J. Ellis, who has caught both Clayton Kershaw starts in the NLDS, would be ready to go for Game 5 after going 2 for 7 in the NLDS.
“Both guys are gonna have to be prepared,” Mattingly said.
Greinke, the Game 5 starter, said today that pitches “probably equally to either one.”
“They both have different strengths,” Greinke said. “A.J.’s probably the best pitch-caller and working with the pitcher on what’s working and stuff similar to that, and Yas – he really works well with me, and his physical skills and baseball skills are as good as anyone in the game with framing and blocking and throwing.”
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