While Andre Ethier sustaining a fractured right tibia during Spring Training created an opportunity for Trayce Thompson, the Los Angeles Dodgers, hamstrung by an inept offense, undeniably would welcome back their veteran outfielder with open arms.
Ethier’s injury, initially diagnosed a lower leg contusion that rendered him day-to-day, called for the now-34-year-old to miss 10 to 14 weeks from March 22. Ethier was batting .435/.517/.652 (10-for-23) with one triple, one home run, five walks and four RBIs at the time of going down.
He was named by first-year Dodgers manager as a candidate to hit leadoff for the club come the regular season. An unlikely decision on the surface given Ethier’s lack of speed, was understandable when taking into account his ability to get on base.
As the weeks passed Ethier crossed off a few checkboxes — most recently being cleared to begin cardiovascular work. However, he’s not yet advanced to the stage of beginning baseball activities.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Ethier conceded his recovery has progressed slower than expected:
“It’s a little slower than we thought. At the eight-week exam, I was expecting to have the OK and go do baseball stuff and slowly progress into running. It was a little bit of a jaw dropper when you get the result. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t healed like I was hoping it was. I had to reassess that it would take a little longer. You always think you can bounce back quicker than you do.”
When recently discussing the outfielder’s status, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he wasn’t sure of a timeline for Ethier’s return. “The progress is kind of day-to-day. There are some days that are better than others, but that’s to be expected,” Friedman said.
“Obviously we miss him and are looking forward to when he comes back. We can’t rush it in the sense that when we get him back, we want him to stay. We’re not even at the point of getting to a date to start a rehab assignment.”
Ethier’s return would require the club to make a corresponding move on the active roster, and depending on what unfolds in the time leading up to that, the 40-man roster as well; which currently sits at 39 players. Being that he’s on the 60-day disabled list, Ethier doesn’t count against the 40-man.
Ethier presumably will join an outfield that isn’t nearly as convoluted, with Carl Crawford an Alex Guerrero both being released within the past week. However, Roberts may still face a juggling act given Thompson’s emergence, and Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig (when healthy) being considered everyday players.
Of course, plenty can happen between now and when Ethier will be ready to join the Dodgers, which doesn’t appear to be until after the All-Star break.
