NEW YORK (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have optioned backup catcher Tim Federowicz to Triple-A Albuquerque, opening a roster spot for pitcher Ted Lilly.
Lilly was set to come off the disabled list Wednesday and make his first start of the season against the New York Mets. The left-hander has been sidelined since last May with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Federowicz was hitless in five at-bats this season. Los Angeles decided to keep veteran Ramon Hernandez on the roster as the backup to starter A.J. Ellis.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says Federowicz's "flaw" is that he has minor league options remaining. Mattingly says if Ellis were to get hurt, the 25-year-old Federowicz would likely get most of the time behind the plate, so he needs to play regularly to stay sharp.
