The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated outfielder Andre Ethier from the 60-day disabled list on Saturday. Casey Fien was designated for assignment to create room for Ethier on the 40-man roster.
Ethier’s return marks his first action in a season that’s otherwise been lost due to a fractured right tibia. He sustained the injury, initially diagnosed as a lower leg contusion, near the conclusion of Spring Training.
Once a follow-up examination revealed the fracture, Ethier was projected to miss 10 to 14 weeks. However, his recovery moved at a painstakingly slow rate, leading to some time in September being the target date for Ethier’s return.
It wasn’t until late August that the 34 year old began a rehab assignment, joining High-A Rancho Cucamonga. Ethier hit .317/.356/.488 with four doubles, one home run and four RBI over 11 games with the Quakes; the last two being playoff contests.
Included in that was Ethier starting as the Quakes’ designated hitter and playing all 16 innings of Wednesday’s wild victory. He played six games as DH, three games in right field (16 innings) and two games in left field (15 innings).
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he would defer to Ethier and allow him to determine when the timing was right to come off the disabled list. Ethier becomes the Dodgers’ 36th player on the active roster, and gives the club a left-handed bat off the bench.
The Dodgers claimed Fien off waivers from the Minnesota Twins in May. He posted a 4.21 ERA, 6.22 FIP and 1.21 WHIP over 25 games. Fien missed one month due to tendinitis in his right elbow.
