Ethier, Kemp battle for lead role in daily show

Outfielder Andre Ethier was contemplating his fate as a platoon player before the 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies, even uttering the familiar mantra of a disgruntled player -- “There are other teams out there” -- before taking it back and saying, “We’re winning, so I can’t complain.”

He didn’t start for the fourth time in seven games, despite going into the season under the assumption that he would be the everyday right fielder. The left-handed-hitting Ethier led the Dodgers with a .308 batting average as a rookie last season.

But right-handed hitting Matt Kemp got the nod against four opposing left-handed starters and is batting .429. The Dodgers are scheduled to face only one left-hander in the next nine games, so it would seem Ethier would get more playing time.

Maybe not.

“We aren’t in a platoon situation,” Manager Grady Little said. “The players will dictate their playing time.”

Are they competing for a full-time job?

“Why not?” Little said. “I think that’s a good environment for young players.”

Kemp’s bruised shoulder isn’t expected to keep him out more than a day or two. Ethier had a single in the ninth inning against Rockies left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes and is batting .182.

“I’m learning how to deal with not playing every day,” Ethier said. “Each at-bat counts more. I have to take advantage of the ones I get and bear down.”

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Shortstop Rafael Furcal walked past reporters with his bags packed and deadpanned, “I got sent down.”

It’s true Furcal will play today and Wednesday for the Class-A Inland Empire 66ers, but it is a short rehabilitation assignment to test his sprained left ankle. He is scheduled to be the designated hitter tonight and play defense and hit Wednesday.

“We’ll evaluate him after those games,” Little said.

Unless there is a trade or somebody goes on the disabled list, the return of Furcal probably means the end of Wilson Valdez’s short, sweet stint with the Dodgers.

Valdez had a single and a walk against the Rockies, which followed back-to-back three-hit games against the San Francisco Giants. He doesn’t have options, meaning he could become a free agent or be picked up on waivers if the Dodgers try to send him to the minors. He was the most valuable player at triple-A Las Vegas last season.

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Left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo pitched without pain off flat ground. He rejoined the team after spending the last week at Vero Beach, Fla., rehabilitating his sore shoulder.... Reliever Yhency Brazoban pitched in a minor league game Monday, his first since having elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2006.... Second baseman Jeff Kent has at least one hit in all seven games.

steve.henson@latimes.com