Ethier out 10-14 weeks with fractured tibia

March 22nd, 2016

PHOENIX -- Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has a broken leg and will be sidelined 10-14 weeks. Ethier suffered the injury fouling a pitch off his leg on Friday.
Initial x-rays were negative, but continued pain led to a bone scan on Monday that revealed the right tibia fracture that the club announced Tuesday afternoon. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the injury is not expected to require surgery.
"Obviously it's a freakish injury," Friedman said. "We'll re-X-ray it in four to five weeks and to the extent it's healing properly, it might be sooner. If not, it might be longer. The range is not incredibly precise."
Dodgers Spring Training info
Ethier's fracture is the latest in a deluge of injuries that have beset the club this spring. His place in left field will likely be shared by veterans Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke, manager Dave Roberts said, adding that Trayce Thompson has been impressive this Spring and could work into the mix. Kiké Hernandez has played the outfield, although he's now the backup shortstop to Corey Seager.
"No one's going to feel sorry for us," Friedman said, insisting that he's satisfied with the club's depth. "We have lots of talented, motivated players."

Friedman and Roberts spoke to Ethier and both said he was frustrated. Roberts said he told Ethier to take a few days at home before returning to Camelback Ranch-Glendale to begin rehabilitation.
Ethier was injured in a fourth-inning at-bat against Arizona. He was having a superb Spring Training, hitting .435 with a 1.169 OPS and was batting leadoff for the second time as Roberts wanted to utilize his on-base ability, having already decided that Ethier would start in left field ahead of Crawford.
Ethier, 34 next month, missed a game earlier in spring with a bruised hand suffered diving into a base. He is coming off a rebound season, batting .294 while playing 142 games after hitting .249 in 2014.
Ethier has spent time on the disabled list twice previously, in '10 for a fractured finger that derailed a remarkable start, and in '12 with a strained oblique. Near the end of the '11 season, he underwent cleanup surgery on his right knee. At the end of the '13 season, he suffered a hairline fracture of his ankle, but played through the postseason with it.
Before camp even opened, pitcher Frankie Montas had a rib removed and was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Brett Anderson suffered a bulging disk and had surgery. Hyun-Jin Ryu's recovery from shoulder surgery has been slow and he won't pitch in a spring game. Pitcher Josh Ravin broke his non-throwing left arm in an auto accident. Brandon McCarthy is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Brandon Beachy (elbow) and Mike Bolsinger (oblique) have had their fifth-starter candidacies derailed by injuries.
Seager sprained his knee almost two weeks ago, but is expected back by Opening Day. Starter Alex Wood missed a start with forearm soreness. Julio Urias was slowed with slight groin tightness. Caleb Dirks never pitched because of a back injury.
Yasmani Grandal missed several games with strained forearms and came out of Monday's game after aggravating the right one. Alex Guerrero missed a week with a twisted knee. Adrian Gonzalez missed a couple games with a bulging disk in his neck. Howie Kendrick missed a handful of games with a tight groin muscle. Justin Turner has been eased back slowly after offseason microfracture knee surgery. Crawford missed a game last week because of a sore back.