The Los Angeles Dodgers remained relatively healthy through the early stages of Spring Training but now are facing a rash of injuries with Opening Day of the 2017 season less than two weeks away. The most serious of which is Andre Ethier, who has a mild herniated disc in his back.
Ethier received an epidural, will be sidelined for at least one week, and then be re-evaluated. Prior to receiving the results of Ethier’s MRI, the Dodgers had another outfielder in Yasiel Puig fall victim to the injury bug.
Puig was scratched from Monday’s lineup due to left calf tightness. He was scheduled to start in right field and bat seventh against the Cleveland Indians.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed minimal concern over Puig’s injury, according to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
Dave Roberts said Yasiel Puig felt something in his calf running the bases Sunday. Still "a little something there" but not a big concern
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 20, 2017
Puig has appeared in 12 Cactus League games thus far, going 8-for-32 with three home runs, two doubles and four walks. He’s expected to be the Dodgers everyday right fielder in 2017.
The 26-year-old was not in Tuesday’s lineup, and with Wednesday’s off day, Puig could receive a minimum of three days’ rest prior to returning. After Wednesday, the Dodgers play 11 games in 10 days to wind down their exhibition schedule.
It concludes with a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, beginning Thursday, March 30. Dodger Stadium will play host to the final game of the series on April 1, and the Dodgers begin the regular season at home on Monday, April 3.
