Ethier to miss 2-3 months with fractured tibia
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier will be sidelined for the next 10-to-14 weeks after a bone scan revealed he suffered a fractured right tibia when he fouled a pitch off his shin on Friday.
The Dodgers announced the diagnosis Tuesday after Ethier was sent for additional testing to determine the extent of his injury. X-rays on Friday showed no broken bones, and Ethier's been on crutches ever since he was carted off from the Dodgers' exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team said he won't require surgery.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Related: Fantasy Fallout - Crawford Sliding into Fantasy Lineups without Ethier
Ethier, who turns 34 next month, batted .294/.366/.486 with 14 homers in 395 at-bats last season, and was projected to be the Dodgers' starting left fielder in 2016. In his absence, which could extend to the beginning of July, Carl Crawford is expected to see a boost in playing time after already being assured this spring that there would be "a lot of at-bats" for him playing behind Ethier. Scott Van Slyke, who owns an .858 career OPS against left-handers, could also see an uptick in action when there's a southpaw on the mound.
Ethier, who's been the subject of persistent trade rumors in recent seasons, will earn an $18-million salary this year. He remains under contract next season at a value of $17.5 million, and carries a club option at that same figure for 2018.