Danny Ardoin outrighted, assigned to Albuquerque
He was going there anyway, but the interesting thing is that rather than simply being optioned (I BELIEVE he still has an option), he was waived, cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man roster. He didn't play much last year, but he still was a contributor to the big-league club, batting .235 in 24 games. Once the Dodgers signed Brad Ausmus this winter, there wasn't room for Ardoin. What this does is clear a 40-man spot, and the Dodgers are going to need to clear at least four of them if Jeff Weaver, Juan Castro and Doug Mientkiewicz all make the team because Will Ohman still needs one, too. If Eric Milton makes the club, they'll need to clear a fifth spot, so it's going to be an interesting few days between now and Sunday.
If Eric Milton makes the club, it will be a sign of complete and utter incompetence. He had a HORRIBLE spring and is nothing more than AAA fodder (as opposed to insurance).
It's going to be a bit crowded at catcher in Albuquerque. In addition to Ardoin, A.J. Ellis and Lucas May could be competing for a spot. It's possible that the Dodgers go with two veterans in Albuquerque and send May to double-A again (this time, in a new setting in Chattanooga)
Lucas May IS going back to Double-A. His development stalled slightly last year (mostly from an offensive standpoint). For now, Ellis is viewed as the No. 3 catcher in the organization. He has really impressed the brass, not only this spring. They didn't get much of a look at him in his first big-league callup last September because he only started one game. He had a .436 OBP at Vegas last year, the best in the organization.
Prediction: After today, Tony will NEVER mention Eric Milton's name again (other than telling us he's been cut loose).
Maybe they're holding on to Miltie to serve as DY's 24 man-roster-seat-holder. Alternatively, he could pitch BP to struggling hitters to boost their psyche.