Coming off a strong 2015 season and in the midst of a strong spring, Andre Ethier was pegged by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts as the starting left fielder heading into this season; Roberts also identified Ethier as one of the candidates to bat leadoff.
However, those plans fell by the wayside on March 18 when the veteran outfielder sustained a fractured right tibia as a result of fouling a pitch off his leg. Ethier was initially diagnosed with lower leg contusion, with a MRI a few days later revealing the fracture.
Ethier was batting .435/.517/.652 (10-for-23) with one triple, one home run, four RBIs and five walks at the time of injury.
The timetable for his return was set at 10 to 14 weeks. Ethier only recently began non-weight bearing activity on an Ultra G machine after receiving positive results from a CT scan.
According to Jack Baer of MLB.com, the 34-year-old outfielder is scheduled for another scan of his leg:
Andre Ethier will receive another scan on his right leg in a week to see if the fractured tibia has healed. The outfielder is still wearing a brace on his lower leg and is up to bearing 25 percent of his weight on the team’s Ultra G machine, a device for cardiovascular, non-weight bearing activity.
While progress is being made, Roberts said the club is proceeding cautiously for the time being:
“Until we get complete clearance that the bone is healed, we have to tread lightly,” Roberts said.
Aside from Ethier, the Dodgers suffered additional hits in left field with Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke both landing on the disabled list. Crawford returned April 26, but has largely struggled this season. Van Slyke is at least three weeks from returning.
Ethier earned a full no-trade clause on April 21 by becoming a 10-and-5 player. He’s owed $18 million this season and $17.5 million in 2017. Ethier’s contract includes a $17.5 million club option in 2018 with a $2.5 million buyout.
He batted .294/.366/.486 with 20 doubles, 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, a .366 wOBA and 137 wRC+. Given the Dodgers’ offensive struggles this season, Ethier’s return may provide a needed jolt in the lineup.
