Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has been here before. It was just last season that the veteran outfielder remained sidelined longer than expected. Ethier didn’t return from a fractured tibia until September, though didn’t feel 100 percent until 2017 Spring Training.
Then came back trouble for Ethier, who was diagnosed with a herniated disc in late March. The Dodgers didn’t consider the injury to be serious, and planned to re-evaluate Ethier within the first week of April.
There’s yet to be any significant update or progress. Ethier has not resumed baseball activities, and it’s uncertain when he may do so. With that, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t anticipate the outfielder returning before June, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“The time that it’s taken, at this point, it’s almost like [he’ll need] a spring training again,” Roberts said. “So if you look at the progression of a player trying to get his body back into shape, get the at-bats to feel comfortable to get in that rhythm, I’m not saying it needs to be a dedicated six weeks. But from the time of baseball activity, it’s easily fair to say [it’ll take] a month after that.”
Ethier was expected to compete for the left-handed hitting portion of a platoon in left field this season. He went 6-for-12 with one double, one home run, six walks and two RBI in eight Cactus League games.
Ethier was among the six Dodgers to open the regular season on the disabled list. It cleared the way for Andrew Toles to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, though Los Angeles now intends to give Cody Bellinger his fair share of opportunities in left field.
The Dodgers hold a $17.5 million team option for next season that vests if Ethier logs 550 plate appearances. That’s a mark the 35-year-old would be hard-pressed to reach at this point. Ethier’s contract also includes a $2.5 million buyout.
