Major League Baseball

Ellis almost lost leg after injury

Published May. 20, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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The Los Angeles Dodgers' Mark Ellis was so severely injured in a play at second base Friday night that he came within hours of potentially losing his leg, manager Don Mattingly said Sunday.

Ellis underwent a fasciotomy on his lower left leg Saturday and team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache told him the muscle might have died if surgery had been performed six or seven hours later, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A six-inch incision was made into Ellis' calf to drain blood and fluid that was applying severe pressure to the muscle. The skin was not scheduled to be sewed back on until Tuesday because more drainage was required.

Ellis was placed on the disabled list Saturday and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. Doctors said his injury was rare for athletes and more common for victims of car accidents.

The 34-year-old initially stayed in Friday night's game against the Cardinals after being taken out by a slide from Tyler Greene in the seventh inning.

He was removed at the start of the eighth and sent for X-rays, which came back negative.

Ellis said after the game that he was fine, but on Saturday he experienced extreme discomfort and had swelling in his lower leg. It was then that he was sent to the hospital.

Ellis is hitting .273 in 37 games for the Dodgers this season.

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