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Dodgers’ Mark Ellis may go to disabled list if not ready Friday

Mark Ellis had two home runs in the Dodgers' 7-2 victory over the New York Mets last week. Not long after he was hobbled by a quadriceps injury.
(Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images)
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Second baseman Mark Ellis figures to be moved to the 15-day disabled list if he isn’t ready to play by Friday when the Dodgers open a three-game series in San Francisco.

That Dodgers will have to clear a roster spot that day for Clayton Kershaw, who is scheduled to be activated from the bereavement list to make a start.

Ellis has missed the last five games with a strained right quadriceps muscle. He said his condition has improved in workouts over the last few days, but he still feels discomfort when he runs.

The Dodgers have played two men down in each of their last two games, as Carl Crawford has also been held out with a tight right hamstring.

While Manager Don Mattingly doesn’t expect Crawford to land on the disabled list, he said the left fielder’s uncertain status makes him reluctant to continue to have Ellis on his active roster.

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Ellis said he understands.

“The last thing I want to do is tie down these guys,” Ellis said.

Ellis can be placed on the disabled list retroactively to Saturday, meaning he could be activated May 12. He would miss a minimum of at least six more games.

At triple-A Albuquerque, Dee Gordon has started taking ground balls at second base. However, the Dodgers don’t appear to have plans to call him up even if Ellis has to be sidelined for an extended period.

On the mend

Chris Capuano pitched for Albuquerque and could be activated from the disabled list Monday or Tuesday. Capuano, who is sidelined with a strained calf, was charged with two runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings against Memphis.

Meanwhile, Ted Lilly appears unlikely to be able to take his next scheduled turn in the rotation. Lilly said he felt his back stiffen in his start Monday.

If Lilly can’t pitch Saturday in San Francisco, rookie Matt Magill will start in his place.

Who is this guy?

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Juan Uribe developed a reputation as a free swinger over his first 12 seasons in the major leagues.

This season, he has been the Dodgers’ most disciplined hitter.

Uribe entered Wednesday having drawn walks in 25.6% of his plate appearances. Next best was A.J. Ellis, who looked like Vladimir Guerrero by comparison with his 16.3% walk rate.

Playing part-time, Uribe had walked 11 times through Tuesday. He has never walked more than 45 times in a season.

While Uribe was batting only .219, his sudden selectivity gave him an on-base percentage of .419. Adrian Gonzalez had the best on-base percentage of any everyday position player at .398.

Mattingly admitted he has been “a little bit” shocked by Uribe’s transformation.

Uribe batted a combined .199 in his two previous seasons with the Dodgers.

“I’m proud of him because he’s been a good teammate through everything that happened to him the first couple years,” Mattingly said. “He stayed being a guy that the guys like. I know he wasn’t happy when he wasn’t playing, but he didn’t let that come out in the locker room and try to influence other guys.”

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

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