Ellis and the Dodgers avoided salary arbitration on January 13, 2014, agreeing to a one-year, $4.25 million contract for the 2015 season. Ellis lost his starting job to newly acquired Yasmani Grandal and was relegated to backup duties for 2015, particularly as Kershaw's personal catcher. He played in 63 games and hit .238 with 7 homers and 21 RBI. Ellis singled in game one of the 2015 National League Division Series, extending his post-season hitting streak to 11 games, tying Carl Crawford for the franchise record. He singled again in game four (the next game he played) to pass Crawford for the franchise record. After the season, the Dodgers re-signed him to a one-year, $4.5 million, contract, buying out his final year of salary arbitration.