Hanley Ramirez, Mark Ellis out of lineup for Dodgers vs. Braves

The Dodgers will battle the Braves on Thursday in the opener of their four-game series at Dodger Stadium, but will do so without their regular starting middle infield, as both Hanley Ramirez and Mark Ellis are out.

Well, it might be difficult to remember that Ellis and Ramirez are the regulars, since Tuesday was the only game this season that both were in the same starting lineup.

This is the fourth time in five games that Ellis is out of the starting lineup, as he is dealing with tightness in his groin. Ellis, who has looked like Albert Pujols carrying a piano when running in the past week, has pinch hit in each of the three previous games he didn't start.

For Ramirez, he was just activated off the disabled list on Tuesday after missing a month with a hamstring injury. Manager Don Mattingly said on Tuesday he planned to ease Ramirez back in, though wasn't exactly clear about scheduled off days. Thursday is just one of them, after he played the previous three nights, including Monday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday