The Dodgers are summoning veteran outfielder Andre Ethier to meet the team in Miami and could activate him from the DL as soon as this evening, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports on Twitter. Since he has been on the 60-day DL, Ethier will require a 40-man roster spot in order to return.
Ethier, 34, has not played a single major league inning this year since suffering a broken leg late this spring. Much has changed since his injury, but with less than a month to play the Dodgers are leading the NL West and can certainly stand to add another quality piece to a depth chart that already boasts plenty of outfield options.
The veteran will likely be eased back into action, and it’s a bit unclear just where he’ll end up contributing. Manager Dave Roberts says that Ethier will receive “occasional starts,” MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick tweets, but it remains to be seen how that’ll occur. Ethier has seen action all over the outfield in recent years, but the Dodgers already have a full array of left-handed-hitting options. Joc Pederson has a lock on center, Josh Reddick was acquired at the trade deadline to play in right, and Andrew Toles has been a revelation through 24 games of action.
Expanded rosters will leave plenty of room for flexibility, of course, but this all promises to make for some interesting decisions when the time comes to set postseason rosters. Ethier will be playing not only for a chance to participate in the playoffs, but also to set up his place on next year’s team. The veteran has been productive of late, but has also been mentioned quite frequently as a trade candidate — though he has achieved full no-trade protection through ten-and-five rights. Ethier is owed $17.5MM next year, with a $2.5MM buyout on a $17.5MM option for 2018 still to go thereafter.
Keep Toles playing while he’s hot. Plus he can run. Reddick looks like he’s heating up too. Pederson’s defense is better than Ethier in CF, but neither can hit LH pitching. Good luck Roberts.
Beyond NY where he will DH.It sounds like he will pinch hit/occasional start in lf. You can count on him at this point. Not a bad option off the bench in the playoffs.
He’s still around?
Honestly, he’s played first before and they could get him more time there than in the outfield, plus it’ll give Adrian some rest as the playoffs near.
Agreed with you
Excellent point. Ethier runs like he carries a piano so 1st is a good option to spell Gonzales, until Bellinger comes up but I don’t see that for at least 2 years. Ethier does play outfield well admittedly, but Pedersen, Puig, Toles and Reddick are all way quicker.
Problem is, Kike plays almost exclusively against lefties, but Ethier is absolutely awful at hitting lefties. Plus Kike can play middle infield. With you on all other points though.
Eithier is odd man out once again.
Is the waiver deadline past? Ethier didn’t help us before. Why would now be any different? I’m liking Toles in the outfield with Petersen and Kendrick.