Dodgers activate Yasmani Grandal from DL, option Chris Heisey to Triple-A

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Saturday activated catcher Yasmani Grandal from the disabled list before their game against the Cardinals, and optioned outfielder Chris Heisey to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Grandal missed the minimum seven days on the special concussion DL after getting hit in the head twice during a game against the Padres on May 22 at Dodger Stadium.

In three minor league rehab games with Oklahoma City, all as the designated hitter, Grandal was 3-for-10 with a double, five walks and six runs scored from Tuesday to Thursday, then joined the Dodgers in St. Louis on Friday.

Grandal on the season is hitting .291/.403/.466 with four home runs in 33 games, and is tied for second on the team with 20 walks. During May, Grandal is hitting .400 (20-for-50) with three home runs, four doubles and 15 RBI in 16 games.

Grandal started 30 of 41 games behind the plate before getting placed on the disabled list.

In his absence, A.J. Ellis started five of six games at catcher and went 2-for-15 (.133) with a double and three walks. Austin Barnes started once, making his major league debut last Sunday against the Padres, going 1-for-3. Barnes also caught in reserve in two other games.

For now, the Dodgers will keep three catchers on the active roster.

The shuttle continues for Heisey, who entered Saturday with four years, 168 days of major league service time. That is just four days shy of the five full years of service time that would afford him the opportunity to refuse any minor league assignment. But for now, he heads back to Oklahoma City, sent back to Triple-A for a fourth time this season.

Heisey played in two games in this stint with the Dodgers, starting Wednesday against the Braves. In five major league games this season, Heisey is 1-for-9 with five walks.