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Andre Ethier takes batting practice with Dodgers, still not cleared for rehab assignment

Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier swings during a spring-training game against the Chicago White Sox on March 15 in Phoenix.
Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier swings during a spring-training game against the Chicago White Sox on March 15 in Phoenix.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Andre Ethier visited Dodger Stadium on Wednesday and took batting practice with his teammates. But neither Ethier nor Manager Dave Roberts would reveal any details of the team’s plan to return Ethier to big league action this season.

“No plan,” Ethier said before the Dodgers faced the San Francisco Giants. “Complete today. That’s the plan.”

Ethier was recently cleared to face live pitching in a controlled setting at the team’s complex at Camelback Ranch. He has been out all season after fracturing his leg with a foul ball during spring training. He will need to begin a rehabilitation assignment before he can be activated.

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The Dodgers initially hoped Ethier could rejoin the team by the middle of the summer. But his leg has not cooperated. Asked if the fractures in Ethier’s leg had healed, Roberts only answered, “They’ve improved.” Roberts expects Ethier to be activated in September, but he does not expect him to perform at 100%.

Ethier said he came to the ballpark at the team’s request.

“They wanted to see me,” he said. “Maybe they weren’t believing the reports, and they wanted to see me with their own eyes.”

Hyun-Jin Ryu will try to return this season

Hyun-Jin Ryu has informed the Dodgers that he will try to make a comeback this season. Roberts has said he does not expect Ryu to pitch again this season, after Ryu was shut down in July because of elbow inflammation. Ryu has pitched in one game since 2014 after undergoing labrum surgery last season.

Ryu will resume a throwing program in the next couple days. He does not have enough time to build up arm strength to start but he could, theoretically, pitch in relief.

“He doesn’t want to write the season off,” Roberts said. “He wants to continue to rehab, get healthy and see where it takes him. For us, we’re not really putting any expectations on it. But as a teammate, it’s a good thing.”

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Short hops

Bud Norris will start on Friday against the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers have not revealed who will pitch on Saturday or Sunday.

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes

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