LOS ANGELES?For the second time this season, former Austin Peay State University catcher A.J. Ellis has been recalled by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers recalled Ellis, Monday, from Triple-A Albuquerque while sending outfielder Jamie Hoffmann back to Albuquerque.

Ellis, a four-time first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference choice for the Govs from 2000-03, has enjoyed a productive 2009 campaign with the Isotopes. He is ranked 11th among all Pacific Coast League hitters in batting average, his .328 tops among all PCL catchers. The Lexington, Ky., native also has been a patient hitter, recording 31 walks against just 20 strikeouts, giving him a .448 on-base percentage that is fourth-best in the PCL.

Ellis also was recalled to the Dodgers in late May before being returned a week later. Ellis, who made his major league debut after a September call up by the Dodgers last season, will be joining a Los Angeles team that owns a nine-game lead in the National League West with a major league-best 42-22 record (65.6 percent).

-AP-