Los Angeles Dodgers

Andre Ethier to miss significant time, but Dodgers have options in left

Published Mar. 22, 2016 5:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier will miss 10 to 14 weeks with a fractured tibia, the team announced Tuesday.

Ethier suffered the injury when he fouled a ball off his right shin Friday during a Cactus League game. The Dodgers said that initial X-rays were negative, but a follow-up CT scan on Monday revealed the broken bone. The injury will not require surgery.

The team's timetable for recovery puts Ethier's return at some point in June.

Though the Dodgers have some depth in the outfield, Ethier's injury is still a significant blow to their lineup. The 33-year-old is coming off one of his best offensive seasons in recent years, hitting .294/.366/.486 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 445 plate appearances.

He was slated to begin the season as the Dodgers' starting left fielder, and manager Dave Roberts said Ethier was in the mix to be one of the team's leadoff hitters.

With Ethier out, Carl Crawford is expected to get increased playing time in left, with Scott Van Slyke getting the bulk of the at-bats against lefties. Enrique Hernandez and Trayce Thompson will also be in the mix.

Ethier joins a long list of injured Dodgers players, including Corey Seager (knee), Brett Anderson (back), Frankie Montas (rib) and Mike Bolsinger (oblique).