Slumping Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal sits out with shoulder issue

Yasmani Grandal confirmed Monday what others have suspected for some time: Something is still wrong with the slumping catcher’s left shoulder.

Grandal was a late scratch before the Dodgers’ series opener against the Angels and was replaced in the lineup by backup catcher A.J. Ellis.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins also was out of the lineup and was awaiting results of an X-ray on a recently jammed knuckle in his right hand. Rookie Corey Seager started in place of Rollins.

Grandal is expected to undergo an MRI examination on his shoulder, something he didn’t do after he was struck by a foul ball in Philadelphia early last month.

Manager Don Mattingly said Grandal’s shoulder flared up while the catcher was working in a batting cage before Monday’s game at Angel Stadium.

Grandal is hitless in his last 33 at-bats. Although the All-Star maintained throughout his slump that he was no longer limited by his shoulder, Mattingly wondered if he was, in fact, playing with discomfort.

“This is in the same area,” Mattingly said. “I don’t know if he was not being totally honest with us as far as 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.

Grandal was batting .295 with 15 home runs and 42 runs batted in through the series in Philadelphia. Since then, he is three for 55.

Mattingly described Grandal as “day-to-day” but acknowledged he was more concerned about the catcher’s condition than he had been in the past. Ellis and Austin Barnes are expected to share playing time at the position for however long Grandal is sidelined.

As for Rollins, Mattingly said he didn’t expect the shortstop to miss more than a day or two. The manager described the X-ray as precautionary.

Rollins was injured sliding into a base during the series in San Diego ended Sunday.

Rotation plans

Mattingly indicated Brett Anderson could miss his next start and announced Mat Latos would start Wednesday in the series finale against the Angels.

Latos has looked like a candidate to be dropped from the rotation, lasting fewer than five innings in each of his last four starts. He is 0-2 with a 6.56 earned-run average in five starts with the Dodgers, who acquired him from the Miami Marlins leading up to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.

Mattingly pointed out that Latos pitched well against the Angels on Aug. 2, his first start for the Dodgers, when he allowed one run and four hits over six innings.

The Dodgers are also mindful of not overworking Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.

“We’re going to take care of Zack and going to take care of Clayton,” Mattingly said. “Obviously, you want to pitch them as much as you can, but you don’t want to overdo it. Kind of the same way with Brett.”

Anderson had to leave his start Sunday in San Diego because a cramp in his left calf. His status could determine whether Mike Bolsinger starts during the three-game series in Arizona that starts Friday. Bolsinger started a game last week as the Dodgers temporarily went to a six-man rotation.

Welcome back, kind of

Sidelined second baseman Howie Kendrick returned to the Dodgers and will start taking batting practice and fielding grounders.

Kendrick said he still feels something in his left hamstring when running at full speed. He was uncertain of when he would be able to play in minor league or simulated games designed to prepare him for his return from the disabled list.

“It could be a day, who knows?” Kendrick said.

Kendrick will be a free agent this winter, but said he wasn’t concerned about how his injury could affect his market value.

“I don’t worry about that stuff,” he said. “I want to try to win a championship.”

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

Twitter: @dylanohernandez