Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier still awaits clearance to take live batting practice

Four weeks ago, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier sat for a scan of his fractured right tibia. He had rested for two months, and he viewed the checkup as a formality. Surely the examination would show the healing in his bones and he would be cleared to resume baseball activity.

Then he saw the scan.

“It was a little bit of a jaw-dropper when you see the result,” Ethier said Monday afternoon at Chase Field, where he visited his teammates before they faced the Diamondbacks. “It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t as healed and as positive as I was hoping and thinking it was.”

And so Ethier continues to wait for his leg to heal. He has been allowed to play catch and take some swings off a tee. But he still needs time before he is cleared to take live batting practice. That goal remains weeks away.

He suffered the fracture by fouling a baseball of his shin March 18. The initial diagnosis was a few days off. The reality looks closer to several months.

When a follow-up examination discovered the spiral fracture, the Dodgers placed a 10- to 14-week timetable on his return. Ethier has now waited 12 weeks. He has been marooned at the team’s facility at Camelback Ranch.

Ethier said he appreciated the opportunity to spend time with his children. But even they are starting to get antsy.

“They ask me every other day when I’m going back to play,” Ethier said. “I don’t know if that’s a sign that they want me out of the house, or they want to see me play again.”

Short hops

Yasiel Puig reported to Class A Rancho Cucamonga to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Puig has been on the disabled list since June 4 because of a hamstring strain. The Dodgers hope he can rejoin the big league club next Monday . . .

Carl Crawford cleared waivers and received his release from the organization. The Dodgers designated Crawford for assignment on June 5 . . .

Both Brandon McCarthy (elbow ligament replacement surgery) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) came through their rehab starts over the weekend without issue. Each will pitch again later this week.

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes