Dodgers Injury Update: Clayton Kershaw Will Face Hitters and Andre Ethier Rehab

The Dodgers injury woes seem to be coming to a close as many of our beloved players on the disabled list are slowly making their way back. The exciting thing is that the team currently sits in first place of the National League West, so adding fresh, healthy players will only make the team better. This news can hopefully cheer up Dodger fans after many were crushed to hear about the trading of catcher A.J. Ellis, so let’s begin!

To begin with, Andre Ethier had quite a successful game on Thursday with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He went 2-4 with a single and double and even scored on a wild pitch! That’s an excellent sign that his tibia is close to, if not, 100%! His next game will be on Saturday so hopefully that means we will see him in Los Angeles soon!

Andre Ethier was 2-for-4 last night with @RCQuakes, his first game all year. He is off today, expected to play again with Rancho on Saturday

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) August 26, 2016

https://twitter.com/Max_Gun/status/769256794229059584

In Clayton Kershaw news, the MVP threw another bullpen session on Friday amounting a total of 60 pitches. Instead of just throwing to an empty batters box again, he threw to Scott Van Slyke so that he could get a feel for throwing with against a batter. He is scheduled to face batters next week which will hugely determine whether or not he is ready for a rehab assignment.

Scott Van Slyke is standing in the batter's box with a bat, but it looks like that's as close as Kershaw will come to facing live hitters.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 26, 2016

Van Slyke said Kershaw was mostly sharp. "His last pitch was his best pitch," he said. "backdoor slider or cutter." About 60p total, 3 inns.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 26, 2016

Kershaw said he will face hitters next week.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 26, 2016

It is easy to forget Andre Ethier’s 2015 season since it was a year ago now, but he was one of the most consistent bats hitting .294 with 14 home runs. If he can continue where he left off, it will be difficult to decide which outfielders to start and which to bench. Along with Ethier, there is no need to tell how much of an impact Clayton Kershaw can have, especially a well-rested one. His return will really push the Dodgers to the next level and make them the team to beat, that is if they aren’t already.