Since the start of Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t been able to avoid the injury bug. The vast majority of issues have been relatively minor, and that was thought to have applied to Andre Ethier after he fouled a ball off his shin last week.
Ethier was sent for x-rays, which came back negative and he was listed day-to-day with a lower leg contusion. However, the pain didn’t subside in the days that followed and Ethier didn’t show the expected signs of improvement.
A bone scan revealed he sustained a fractured right tibia that will keep Ethier out of action for 10 to 14 weeks.
The loss is substantial as Ethier was named the Dodgers’ starting left fielder and was a candidate to bat leadoff against right-handed pitchers. Facing a lengthy recovery period, Ethier is attempting to remain positive and is implementing creative measures in effort to accelerate the recovery process, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“The biggest part, I think, is that I escaped having to have any kind of surgery on this,” he said. “It’s one where we can allow it to heal. That just takes some time and who knows how much time. “We’re doing everything we can. I’m wearing a bone stimulator 24/7 right now that I have tucked into my pants. I’m doing laser treatments, all kinds of other treatments they can come up with. I’m eating kale and chrysanthemums because they’re high in vitamin K. I heard that helps. We’re going to see.”
Ethier became the second Dodger to suffer a significant injury this spring, as Brett Anderson required back surgery for a bulging disk. He’s expected to be out three to five months.
The Dodgers should have an easier time replacing Ethier though, as the club boasts plenty of depth in the outfield. As it currently stands, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig are expected to be the regular starters in center field and right field, respectively.
Meanwhile, Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke are tentatively penciled in to platoon in left. Trayce Thompson is also a candidate to receive playing time with Ethier out.
