Tim Federowicz will start season as A.J. Ellis’ backup at catcher

PHOENIX – Tim Federowicz will start the season as the backup to starting catcher A.J. Ellis.

That became clear Tuesday morning when the Dodgers optioned catcher Jesus Flores to minor-league camp.

“He’s showed us he doesn’t belong in triple A any more,” Manager Don Mattingly said of Federowicz.

With Mattingly wanting to rest Ellis twice a week, Federowicz could get a decent amount of playing time.

Federowicz, 25, has played in 10 major league games over the last two seasons. He batted .294 with 11 home runs and 76 runs batted in for triple-A Albuquerque last year.

Federowicz was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in a three-way trade that involved the Seattle Mariners in 2011.

In addition to Flores, the Dodgers sent infielder Justin Sellers and reliever Shawn Tolleson to minor-league camp.

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