Dodgers have seen a new A.J. Ellis in the second half

Play the game long enough and baseball will naturally present its challenges. Most are of the short-term variety but some can appear nearly insurmountable.

A.J. Ellis had been the Dodgers’ starting catcher for the last three years. His pitchers respected his work ethic. His team won. Life was good.

But he slumped badly last season (.191), and then new management arrived. Shortly afterward, Yasmani Grandal was brought in as the new starting catcher. As the season began, Ellis struggled with his new role. His playing time greatly reduced, he was hitting just .138 in early June.

Only now, at age 34, Ellis is again on a roll. If he is still the backup catcher, his playing time has increased while Grandal has struggled with a shoulder issue, and he has continued to respond at the plate the last three months.

In his 33 games since June 12, Ellis has hit .290 (27 for 93) with four doubles, six homers, 14 RBIs and 21 walks. The second half has been a whole new season for Ellis.

“It’s felt good, obviously,” he said. “Felt good to not just answer other people’s questions but answer questions you may have about yourself. So when you start to have some good results and some positive reinforcement from what you’re doing, what you’ve been working on, and have the success follow that ...

“I just want to keep riding the wave. Kind of stay with the same routine and stay simple. I think that’s what’s been working for me.”

Ellis has appeared in just 54 games this season. He played in 133 games in 2012. He doesn’t discount that the less wear on his body has helped with his second-half resurgence.

“I think being in the role I’ve been in, having the extra rest has helped,” he said. “It’s kept my body fresh. I feel like Yas and I have formed a really strong partnership and hopefully that continues on the rest of the year.”