Andre Ethier joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout during the sixth inning of Friday’s game against the Miami Marlins. The longest-tenured player in the Dodgers organization was then activated from the 60-day disabled list the following night.
Ethier made a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning, and started in left field on Sunday afternoon. The game action this weekend was his first with the Dodgers since sustaining a fractured right tibia during Spring Training.
While the original diagnoses projected Ethier would miss eight to 12 weeks, the injury was more serious than initially believed, prolonging the recovery process.
Ethier joins a bit of a crowded outfield picture that has Joc Pederson, Josh Reddick, Howie Kendrick, Yasiel Puig and Andrew Toles all playing well. With that factor in mind, coupled with how much time he’s missed, Ethier is just hoping to have an impact in any capacity, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“The leg felt good,” Ethier said. “Been a long summer. The guys did a good job, I’m just here to contribute. There are no promises this time of year. Just come back, contribute and not get in the way of the good baseball these guys are playing. Whether it’s a pinch-hit, a double-switch or a start, just do whatever it is the last 20 games to help out. Don’t expect much other than to get a chance when he thinks I’m ready.”
Ethier appeared in 11 games with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on a rehab assignment. He batted .290/.343/.419 with four doubles and three RBIs during that span. He started six games as the Quakes’ designated hitter, three in right field and two in left field.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he intends to utilize Ethier as a pinch-hitter and will give him an occasional start in the outfield. Los Angeles will see a right-handed starter in two of the three games against the New York Yankees.
