Dealing with lingering discomfort in his lower back, the Los Angeles Dodgers recently sent Andre Ethier for an x-ray and CT scan. He’d previously undergone an MRI on his balky back, which revealed a mild herniated disc.
Although the Dodgers did not provide an update to Ethier’s injury, the veteran outfielder will be held out of baseball activity for the next week. A decision on an immediate course of action was decided after Ethier met with back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins.
Ethier will be re-evaluated after the one-week layoff. Although the Dodgers will again begin another season without his services, manager Dave Roberts remains optimistic, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“I think it’s actually a good sign,” Roberts said. “It’s not a six-to-eight-week thing, from what I understand. Him taking another week to let it subside, we’ll have a better idea of how aggressive we need to be.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said the club did not harbor any ‘long-term’ concern over Ethier’s injury. Friedman made his remarks prior to the 34-year-old undergoing the x-ray and CT scan.
Dr. Watkins also examined Clayton Kershaw and outlined a path to recovery when the left-handed ace was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his lower back. Kershaw’s injury was initially believed to be minor, though he missed 10 weeks.
Albeit in just eight Cactus League games, Ethier was again in the midst of a strong showing in Spring Training. He went 6-for-12 with one double, a home run, six walks and two RBI. Ethier last played March 18, starting in left field and going 2-for-2 with an RBI double.
