Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier received some bad news this week when an MRI on his back revealed a minor herniated disc. The injury is similar to the one that caused Clayton Kershaw to miss 10 weeks last year.
Like with Kershaw, Ethier received an epidural. He’s expected to be sidelined for at least one week, and the Dodgers will then re-evaluate the veteran outfielder to determine a course of action. With under two weeks until Opening Day, that puts Ethier’s status in jeopardy.
Should he manage to make a quick recovery, Ethier in theory could log at-bats in Minor League games to get back up to speed and avoid beginning the season on the disabled list a second straight year.