Yasmani Grandal scratched from Dodgers lineup with bruised shoulder

Yasmani Grandal confirmed Monday what others have suspected for some time: His left shoulder is still hurting.

Grandal was a late scratch from the Dodgers’ lineup before their series opener against the Angels in Anaheim. His place in the starting lineup was taken by A.J. Ellis.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins was also out of the starting lineup because of a right knuckle he jammed in a recently-completed series in San Diego. With Rollins unavailable, rookie Corey Seager started at shortstop.

Grandal’s change in status came as little surprise, as the All-Star is hitless in his last 33 at-bats.

Throughout his slump, he has maintained that he was recovered from a bruised shoulder he sustained in Philadelphia early last month.

“This is in the same area,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “I don’t know if he was not being totally honest with us as far dealing with that pain, or just didn’t want to say. I mean, some guys are just not going to tell you.”

Grandal declined to comment.

Mattingly said Grandal felt discomfort while hitting in the batting cage before the game.

The manager conceded he was more concerned about the catcher’s shoulder than he was before.

“The fact that it kind of bounced back on him …” Mattingly said.

Mattingly said Grandal is expected to undergo an MRI examination, something he hasn’t previously done for this particular injury.

Rollins is also expected to undergo an X-ray on his knuckle. Mattingly described that test of precautionary and said he thought Rollins would be sidelined for only a couple of days.