Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier was activated from the disabled list on Saturday after missing over five months with a fractured tibia. Sunday marked his first start since Spring Training.
Andre Ethier entered Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins as a pinch hitter. It was the first time he has played all season after suffering a freak injury in Spring Training earlier this year. Sunday was his first start of the season, though it was in left field. Ethier went hitless in both appearances.
The team that debuted in Spring Training was vastly different than the one Ethier rejoined over the weekend. As the season trudged on, the Los Angeles Dodgers designated Carl Crawford for assignment, traded A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies and brought in Josh Reddick from the Oakland A’s. The latter transaction not only removed Ethier from his usual position in right field, it also put mercurial Yasiel Puig on the trading block.
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In 2014, Andre Ethier posted the worst offensive production of his career. In 341 at-bats, he hit .249/.322/.370 and hit only four home runs. However, in 2015 Ethier slashed .294/.366/.486 and smacked 14 dingers in 395 at-bats. After his bounce-back season last year, hopes were high for the 34-year-old outfielder.
Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts stated that Ethier will get occasional starts for the remainder of the season, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Ethier acknowledged his role upon returning to the lineup. “It’s one where you just figure out a way to come back, contribute and not get in the way of the good baseball these guys are playing,” he said, according to Doug Padilla at ESPN.com.
The Dodgers under Ned Colletti signed Ethier a five-year, $85 million deal in 2013. His final year with the club will be next season unless the Dodgers exercise their team option. The current front office regime has shown little hesitance in shipping out fan-favorites.
The Dodgers have seen impressive offense from its left-handed hitters. Joc Pederson is slugging .497 and has hit 22 homers. Josh Reddick is hitting .365 in his last twelve games despite his slow start since moving to Los Angeles. In 32 games played, Andrew Toles is hitting .352/.413/.606. It is doubtful that Ethier will be a regular starter with Los Angeles following this season.
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The perennial outfield logjam continues to plague the Dodgers. The production they are receiving from their current outfielders makes it likely that 2017 will be Andre Ethier’s final season in Los Angeles. If the Dodgers exercise their team option, he will be owed $17.5 million; otherwise, he will be paid a $2.5 million buyout.