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Injuries have hit the Los Angeles Dodgers hard all spring long, with more than half a dozen players on the shelf. But the most significant injury may be the most recent, with outfielder Andre Ethier being ruled out for 10 to 14 weeks with a broken tibia, an injury that will keep him out for at last the first two months of the regular season. However, the Dodgers should not be despondent about the injury to Ethier or the volume of injuries this spring, as they have the depth necessary to survive the loss.
After a rough 2014 season, Ethier had a bounceback season in 2015, hitting .294 with 41 extra-base hits and 53 RBI, making him a consistent and productive player in the middle of the Dodgers’ lineup. But Los Angeles has enough power hitters and run producers in their lineup to make up for the loss of Ethier, including Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson. The Dodgers also have rookie Corey Seager, who has missed time this spring with a knee injury but should be ready for opening day. Seager will give the Los Angeles lineup an element they didn’t have for much of last season, giving them the lineup depth to make up for Ethier’s absence.
As for Ethier’s spot in left field, the Dodgers have plenty of potential replacement options. The first shot may go to Carl Crawford, who is no longer an everyday player, but someone who can fill in for a short period of time and bat just about anywhere in the lineup. If they had to, the Dodgers could get by with Crawford as their primary left fielder for a couple months. Scott Van Slyke should also see time in left field during Ethier’s absence, as he’s had a strong spring and brings plenty of power to the table. Alex Guerrero could also see time in left field, as the injury to Ethier could provide an opportunity for the Dodgers to get him in the lineup and increase his value as they attempt to trade him.
With Crawford, Van Slyke, and Guerrero all on the Dodgers’ roster, they should have no trouble finding outfielders who can fill in for Ethier during his absence. The number of candidates capable of emerging as Ethier’s primary replacement and the depth Los Angeles already has in their lineup means they will be able to survive the injury to their starting left field without experiencing a significant drop-off. The loss of Ethier will hurt after the season he had last year, but the overall impact should be minimal.
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