Todd Coffey out with elbow injury, Andre Ethier could be DL-bound
On the day Matt Kemp was set to begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, the Dodgers might have lost reliever Todd Coffey for the season.
Coffey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the Dodgers called “right elbow soreness.” But Manager Don Mattingly described the injury as “fairly significant” and a person familiar with the situation said Coffey could be forced to undergo a season-ending elbow operation.
There was more bad news. Andre Ethier felt something in his strained left rib cage while fouling back a pitch in the batting cages, according to Mattingly.
The Dodgers have to decide soon whether they will place Ethier on the disabled list or continue to playing a man short. If Ethier is placed on the disabled list, he will be eligible to be activated on July 13 for the Dodgers’ first game after the All-Star break. That is the day slated for Kemp’s return.
If Ethier is placed on the disabled list, it would open a roster spot for second baseman Mark Ellis. Mattingly said the Dodgers are considering activating Ellis on Wednesday, a day earlier than originally planned.
Third baseman Juan Uribe was out of the lineup as a result of the a sprained ankle he suffered Monday night. Mexican league MVP Luis Cruz will start in his place.
Uribe is listed as day to day.
Coffey’s place on the active roster was taken by rookie reliever Shawn Tolleson, who was demoted to triple A on Monday.
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