Andre Ethier placed on disabled list and Mark Ellis returns

Andre Ethier was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained rib-cage muscle, while second baseman Mark Ellis rejoined the club after a serious leg injury.

Ethier hasn’t played since straining his left oblique during an at-bat June 27 against the Giants in San Francisco, and his stint on the disabled list was retroactive to June 28.

The right fielder, who took batting practice at Dodger Stadium before Wednesday’s game, and Manager Don Mattingly both said they hoped Ethier could be reactivated July 13 for the Dodgers’ first game after the All-Star break.

That’s also when the team’s other leading hitter, Matt Kemp, is expected to return from a hamstring injury.

The Dodgers have a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Thursday. But Mattingly said “It didn’t seem to make any sense” to consider keeping Ethier off the disabled list and possibly playing him because it might aggravate the injury.

Ellis, meanwhile, returned after hurting his left lag so badly May 19 that he required emergency surgery. Ellis was hurt when he was upended near second base while trying to turn a double play.

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