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LOS ANGELES — With A.J. Ellis traded and gone, and while waiting for Carlos Ruiz to arrive in Los Angeles, the Dodgers were in need of at least a temporary backup catcher for Thursday night against the Giants. Shawn Zarraga was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill that purpose.
Reliever Luis Avilan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room on the active roster.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Zarraga, Scott Van Slyke was transferred to the 60-day DL. He last played on Aug. 7, so this effectively ends his regular season.
Austin Barnes is the other catcher on the 40-man roster, but was hit by a pitch on his hand and had to leave Tuesday’s game with Oklahoma City. He hasn’t played since.
The switch-hitting Zarraga, 27, hit .265/.348/.327 with seven doubles in 41 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2016.
Zarraga will wear No. 73.