Dodgers News: Mattingly Says Ethier Dealing With ‘Some Leg Issues’
However with Matt Kemp’s struggles defensively, Ethier was placed in center field and it was Kemp who was left to platoon with Crawford in left. Since that point, Ethier has been the primary center fielder with Scott Van Slyke filling in on occasions where the Los Angeles Dodgers faced a left-handed starter.
While that has been the prevailing trend manager Don Mattingly has resorted to, Ethier was not in Thursday’s lineup despite the fact that the San Diego Padres sent a righty to the mound.
The same holds true Friday, though according to Jon Weisman of DodgerInsider.com, Mattingly indicated Ethier is dealing with some physical ailments:
We’re still trying to take care of him,” Dodger manager Don Mattingly said of Ethier. “He’s still having soreness all over the place … some leg issues and some other issues. We’re just trying to make sure, going into the (All-Star) break, hopefully we get him out of that. And on the back side of that, Scotty’s playing well.”
Ethier was previously held out of game due to lower-body issues and Mattingly added the outfielder hasn’t looked right, which believes is due to a domino effect:
I just think in general, Andre doesn’t seem to have the same energy (he normally has),” Mattingly said. “He just hasn’t felt good, body-wise. … It’s just lots of little things, and one thing is the building block to another, and to compensate you’ve got another issue.”
Ethier of course isn’t the only Dodger player dealing with bumps and bruises as the All-Star break nears. Hanley Ramirez isn’t expected to start until after the break as he aggravated a right shoulder injury in Thursday’s win.
Entering Friday, the Dodgers hold a 1.0 game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West standings.
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