Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Updates Andre Ethier’s NLDS Status
After the Dodgers lost Matt Kemp for the season with an ankle injury, the concern shifted to how effective Andre Ethier could be in the NLDS against the Braves.
Ethier’s been sidelined since September 13 with an ankle/shin injury and Don Mattingly and Ned Colletti have both updated his status on a daily basis. While Colletti said that everyone is hopeful Ethier can go, Mattingly updated his condition to Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com before the Dodgers worked out at Dodger Stadium:
Mattingly also said even if Ethier doesn’t run bases today they’ll likely know enough today whether or not he’ll make NLDS roster
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) October 1, 2013
It’s sounding more and more like we won’t know much about Ethier’s status before Thursday morning as the Dodger don’t need to submit their postseason lineup until 10 am EST.
If Ethier can’t go, Skip Schumaker will likely take over center field duties as he’s 4-9 in his career against Braves starter Kris Medlen. Ironically enough, it was Schumaker who was in center field for the Cardinals 2011 World Series championship, so he does have that experience.
Mattingly also wouldn’t tip his hand as to what the lineup could look like without Kemp and Ethier as Yasiel Puig could slide down in the order to drive in more runs.
Ethier is slated to work out with the team before they head off to Atlanta, but it remains to be seen if he’ll past the last test and get back onto the field.
UPDATE: Bill Shaikin of the LA Times at 11:30 AM PST:
Ethier: "It's a hitting role" at best at start of NLDS. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 1, 2013
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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!
http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME
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