On Friday night the Los Angeles Dodgers saw the return of Clayton Kershaw, a crucial piece to their puzzle this season, and on Saturday are expected to welcome back Andre Ethier. The veteran outfielder flew to Miami and was in the dugout by the sixth inning of the series opener.
News of Ethier’s joining the Dodgers surfaced in Friday’s game notes that are distributed by the team. Though it didn’t happen, they read it was possible Ethier’s activation could come as early as the first of their 10-game road trip.
He’s fresh off playing 11 games with High-A Rancho Cucamonga in a rehab assignment. During that time Ethier hit .317/.356/.488 with four doubles, one home run and four RBI. He appeared in two playoff contests, including a 16-inning affair.
Whenever Ethier takes the field with the Dodgers, it will be for the first time this season. Manager Dave Roberts said he intends to use the 34-year-old in multiple roles, per Andy McCullough of the LA Times:
“We’ve got to get him involved,” Roberts said before Friday’s game. “He’s going to get some occasional starts. He’s going to be used off the bench, to pinch-hit in some big spots. With Andre, a lot of it is contingent upon his leg.”
How much time Ethier will receive in the outfield over the next three weeks is certainly questionable considering the logjam of players ahead of him. Ethier started six games as the Quakes’ designated hitter, three in right field and two in left field.
That Ethier is joining the Dodgers this weekend is a mild surprise. More specifically, because the club begins a three-game series early next week against the New York Yankees, when a designated hitter will be needed.
Roberts never set a target date and instead said he was allowing Ethier to determine once he felt prepared to come off the disabled list.
