Andre Ethier unavailable Sunday because of foot injury
On Saturday, The Times’ Bill Shaikin argued on the paper’s website that rookie outfield sensation Yasiel Puig could render $85-million Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier obsolete.
That night Ethier fouled a fourth-inning curveball into the arch of his right foot. He stepped out of the batter’s box for roughly 30 seconds as a member of the Dodgers’ medical staff took a quick look, before stepping back in and ultimately taking a called third strike.
Ethier got the day off Sunday — an absence that Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly called scheduled, but one that came with soreness in that foot. Mattingly had expected Ethier to be available off the bench, but after the team’s 8-1 loss to the Braves, the manager said he was not able to play.
“He was unavailable today,” Mattingly said. “I guess the ball hit off his arch and he tried to swing early in the day and wasn’t able to do it. So I don’t know where we’ll be tomorrow with that.”
The Dodgers already have half their payroll on the disabled list, and Hanley Ramirez, who underwent an MRI exam on his left hamstring, may be headed there as well.
Ethier is hitting just .125 (seven for 56) with no home runs and no runs batted in since May 20.
Twitter: @Stephen_Bailey1
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