Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Hanley Has Broken Rib; Game-Time Decision With Ethier

With the Dodgers just hours away from Game 3 of the NLCS, they announced the plan for shortstop Hanley Ramirez and outfielder Andre Ethier.

Ramirez sat out Game 2 with injured ribs after being hit with a pitch in that spot in the first inning of Game 1 by Joe Kelly. Ethier was limited to pinch-hitting duties in the NLDS and started Game 1 of the series before sitting in Game 2 and striking out against Cardinal closer Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth inning.



According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Don Mattingly provided a diagnosis for Hanley and updated Ethier:

It was reported that Ramirez fractured his eighth rib but that he can play depending on pain. Mattingly also said that Ramirez couldn’t further injure himself and it would take about two weeks for Hanley to fully recover so it will continue to be pain-based decisions.

Ethier’s status is also based on pain and there is no telling if he will be in the starting lineup tonight.

Ramirez went 8-16 in the NLDS and is a catalyst for the Dodgers’ offense. In Game 1 of the NLCS, he was intentionally walked twice in the later innings with first base open.

If Ramirez cannot go, Mattingly may choose to go with the veteran Nick Punto at shortstop like in Game 2 and during batting practice, Michael Young was seen taking grounders at shortstop.

Ethier started Game 1 in center field and went 1-5 before being taken out in a double switch in the bottom of the 13th inning for Scott Van Slyke.

Skip Schumaker would most likely get the start if Ethier can’t play, with Ethier being subject to pinch-hitting duties again. The Dodgers have lacked offense in the series and missing one or both of their starters could be detrimental to their lineup.

UPDATE: Dodgers official Twitter account at 2:30 PST that Hanley Ramirez WILL play tonight: 

UPDATE: Bill Shaikin of the LA Times at 3:00 PST that Andre Ethier WILL play also: 

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In case you missed it, here’s the home run that sent the Dodgers to the NLCS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJgp8vkSa3k

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