For a second consecutive year, Los Angeles Dodgers veteran outfielder Andre Ethier has had an injury sustained during Spring Training lead to significant time missed during the regular season.
Shortly after an MRI in late March revealed a mild herniated disc, which in turn led to x-rays and a CT scan, Ethier was projected to refrain from baseball activities until early April. Once he resumed that, the Dodgers expected to have a timeline in place for Ethier’s return.
However, the 35-year-old has been unable to get going since succumbing to the back issues. According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is not expecting Ethier to return before the All-Star Game:
Roberts said Andre Ethier is still not doing baseball activities. Issue is recovery day after workouts. Won't return before All-Star break
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 31, 2017
Prior to Wednesday, the most recent update had Roberts optimistic his outfielder could return by June. The lack of progress made in a recovery is similar to the tibia fracture that kept Ethier out last season until September.
He played through discomfort in the leg over the duration of the regular season and into the playoffs. Ethier didn’t make a full recovery from the complex fracture until the offseason, and he reported to Spring Training with a renewed outlook.
Ethier is batting .285/.359/.463 with 302 doubles, 160 home runs and 684 RBI in 1,433 games over parts of 11 seasons with the Dodgers. He’s currently on the 60-day disabled list.
The Dodgers hold a $17.5 million option and $2.5 million buyout on Ethier’s contract for 2018.