This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Andre Ethier Playing With Two Good Pinkies (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Andre Ethier’s little pinkie has become a big deal.
Today the Dodgers announced that the hottest hitter on the hottest team in baseball has been put on the 15-day disabled list. Last weekend, while taking batting practice in Arizona, the left handed slugger’s right pinkie was broken.
“I’ve probably done it fifty times in my life, where my finger has fallen off like that,” said Ethier. “This is the first time something serious has happened.”
Ethier was batting .392 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs on the 21-17 Dodgers, who are riding an eight game win-streak into this evening's game against the Houston Astros. Tonight at Dodger Stadium is Andre Ethier Bobblehead Night.
“It was a freak thing,” said Dodgers Manager Joe Torre of Ethier catching his pinkie underneath the bat.
Torre doesn’t want to risk Ethier picking up longer term bad habits at the plate in order to accommodate the temporary injury. The plan now is for Ethier to rest and heal for two to three weeks.
“If it’s longer, it’s longer, “ he said. “We have to make sure we take care of him.”
Ethier said the pain has decreased, he's optimistic about his recovery.
“As long as I don’t get my little kid tugging on it every once in a while, it’ll be alright,” he said.
