Coming off a resurgent 2015 campaign, Andre Ethier was poised to again play a significant role for the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, that came to a screeching halt last March when he sustained a right leg fracture near the end of Spring Training.
Ethier was initially diagnosed with a lower leg contusion and listed as day-to-day. However, he didn’t show signs of improvement and was sent for a follow-up examination that revealed a fracture. The timetable for his return was set at 10 to 14 weeks.
But Ethier’s injury was a complex, spiral fracture, which equated to a prolonged recovery process. He was not activated from the 60-day disabled list until Sept. 9.
Nearly one year removed from the injury, the veteran outfielder is free of any pain or limitations, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“I talked to a few other athletes that had the kind of fracture I had, and they said it takes 12-18 months,” said Ethier. “But I worked out with every drill possible, landing on my leg at different angles, and it’s 100 percent.”
Upon joining the Dodgers late last season, Ethier said there were still instances and some movements that caused pain to radiate through his right leg. He appeared in 16 games, only making three starts, and was 5-for-24 with one double, one home run and two RBI.
Although the sample size was hardly notable, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged enough by the quality of Ethier’s at-bats that the 34-year-old was included on the club’s National League Division Series and NL Championship Series rosters.
Ethier went 2-for-6 in eight postseason games, appearing in each contest off the bench. A two-out base hit set up Chase Utley’s go-ahead RBI single in Game 4 of the NLDS, and Ethier delivered a pinch-hit, solo home run off Chicago Cubs’ righty Kyle Hendricks in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Ethier is part of a crowded outfield mix that essentially gives the Dodgers the option to platoon at each of the three positions. Though, that’s not a strategy the club appears keen on, as Joc Pederson is expected to receive more starts against left-handed pitching.
While it’s plausible Ethier earns a starting spot in left field, the more likely scenario may be platooning with Yasiel Puig in right field. Ethier is entering what may be his 12th and final season with the Dodgers. His contract includes $17.5 million club option for 2018 with a $2.5 million buyout.
