Don Mattingly says Yasmani Grandal has 50% chance of playing in Game 5 of NLDS

That sore shoulder that has bothered catcher Yasmani Grandal for over two months may have finally gotten the better of him, and at very much the wrong time.

Grandal did not play in Game 4 of the National League Division Series after grimacing swinging in Game 3 and now Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said there’s only a 50% chance he’ll be able to play in Thursday’s decisive Game 5.

“Yas is maybe a little bit more on the 50-50 line, depending on once he tests the swing and what he’s going to be able to do,� Mattingly said. “I don’t think catching’s going to be any kind of an issue. It’s just a matter of, is he going to be able to swing the bat pain?�

Grandal caught Thursday’s starter Zack Greinke in Game 2, as he has most of the season. He caught 26 of Greinke’s 32 games started in the regular season.

But if he’s unable to play, A.J. Ellis would get the start. The Dodgers could also elect to replace him on the roster, but that would also make him ineligible for the next round of playoffs should the Dodgers win Thursday.

“We haven’t really talked about that,� Mattingly said. “I don’t think it would be, but I guess it’s a possibility if we get there tomorrow and he absolutely can’t lift his arm.�

Mattingly said Grandal’s range of motion with the shoulder had improved some Wednesday.

Grandal was an All-Star after a strong first half, but after taking a nasty foul tip off his left (non-throwing) shoulder in Philadelphia in early August, he hit just .064 (six for 94). He has one hit in eight playoff at-bats against the Mets with four strikeouts.

Twitter: @stevedilbeck