Andre Ethier officially makes Dodgers playoff roster

ATLANTA — Andre Ethier was officially named to the Dodgers’ roster for the National League Division Series, which was released Thursday morning.

Ethier is recovering from shin splints on his left leg and still can’t play the outfield. He will be used as a pinch-hitter.

With Ethier limited and Matt Kemp unavailable because of a season-ending ankle injury, the Dodgers included Scott Van Slyke on their playoff roster. Van Slyke not only gives the Dodgers cover in the outfield but also provides them with a power bat off the bench.

Ethier’s status also probably factored into the inclusion of Dee Gordon, who will be used as a late-inning pinch-runner. If Ethier reaches base, he will likely have to be replaced immediately on the basepaths.

Veteran utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. didn’t make the roster. Hairston batted only .143 after the All-Star break.

Among the other notable exclusions were relievers Carlos Marmol and Brandon League. A reclamation project, Marmol posted a 2.53 earned-run average in 21 appearances since he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs. League was signed to a three-year, $22.5-million contract over the winter to be the team’s closer, but lost his job and never found his form (6-4, 5.30 ERA).

The final spot in the bullpen went to left-hander Chris Capuano. Capuano pitched 24 times this season, only four times as a reliever. He posted a 4.26 ERA.

The Dodgers’ roster:

Pitchers (11)
RHP Ronald Belisario
LHP Chris Capuano
RHP Zack Greinke
LHP J.P. Howell
RHP Kenley Jansen
LHP Clayton Kershaw
RHP Ricky Nolasco
LHP Paco Rodriguez
LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
RHP Brian Wilson
RHP Chris Withrow

Position players (14)
OF Carl Crawford
C A.J. Ellis
2B Mark Ellis
OF Andre Ethier
C Tim Federowicz
1B Adrian Gonzalez
IF Dee Gordon
OF Yasiel Puig
IF Nick Punto
SS Hanley Ramirez
IF/OF Skip Schumaker
3B Juan Uribe
IF/OF Scott Van Slyke
IF Michael Young