Goodbyes are never easy.
For Dodgers teammates A.J. Ellis and Clayton Kershaw, their time came Thursday when Ellis was traded to the Phillies in an unusual late-season swap of veteran catchers, marking the emotional and heartbreaking end to a longstanding battery bromance.
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"It's a really sad day for me," Ellis said of the deal, which brought Carlos Ruiz to Los Angeles in exchange. The Phillies also received minor league pitcher Tommy Bergjans and cash considerations.
Ellis appeared crushed by the news, as noted by the Los Angeles Times, and added it "rips your heart out" having to leave the Dodgers.