Dodgers Injury News: Todd Coffey & Andre Ethier

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Todd Coffeywill be the most recent victim of the plague that is torn

ulnar collateral ligaments this year.  Heyman says Coffey will likely need season-ending Tommy John surgery and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Coffey had made 23 appearances this year and has a 4.66 ERA.  He has played in eight Major League seasons for four different clubs.  In his career, Coffey is 25-18 with a 4.10 ERA.  His best season came in 2009 with Milwaukee.  In 78 appearance that year, Coffey had a 2.90 ERA.

Coffey left Monday’s game in the eighth inning against the Reds.  The Dodgers soon learned that he had a partially torn UCL and would be lost for the season.

Andre Ethier is not yet on the DL, but he could be heading there soon.  According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, Ethier experienced some pain in his strained rib cage while taking batting practice.  He has been battling the strain without a trip to the DL in hopes that he could return quickly.  However, the Dodgers are now mulling over whether to place him on the DL or not.

Ethier is hitting .291/.357/.491 this season with 10 home runs.  Earlier in the year, he and Matt Kemp were an unstoppable duo as they helped the Dodgers climb to the top of the National League West and build a large lead.  That lead has since been lost.

In his career, Ethier has been one of the most productive Dodgers players in the lineup.  He has a career line of .291/.363/.480.  He has never posted a below-average OPS year.  The Dodgers have made the postseason three times in Ethier’s career.  They hope to do so again, but losing Ethier to the DL could be a major blow to their chances.

For more on the Dodgers, be sure to check out Lasorda’s Lair.