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After hitting 54 home runs in 2009-2010 combined, Ethier hit 11 home runs in 2011.
Andre Ethier will miss the remainder of the season with a right knee injury, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced today. The right fielder caused some controversy with comments made to T.J. Simers in the Los Angeles Times on August 28, when Ethier suggested that the team was making him play hurt. Ethier backed off those comments one day later.
Manager Don Mattingly, team trainers, and general manager Ned Colletti all knew of Ethier's knee injury, and it was determined that since Ethier could likely do no long term damage, it was Ethier's decision to continue playing. However, since the knee has not generally improved in the last few weeks, Ethier and the team jointly decided he would end his season and "seek all opinions to determine the next course of action," according to a tweet from the team.
One of those opinions will come from Dr. James Andrews, whom Ethier will visit in Birmingham, Alabama on Friday, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Ethier made the National League All-Star team this season, but by most accounts 2011 was a disappointing year for the right fielder. After hitting 54 home runs in the last two seasons, Ethier hit just 11 this year, though there is some hope that the knee injury will lead to a return of his power. Ethier hit his 30th double of the season Tuesday night, and he joined Jackie Robinson as the only Dodgers ever with five straight seasons of 30 or more doubles.
For the most part, Ethier in 2011 isn't far off from his usual numbers except for the home runs.
| Year | 2B | HR | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ | wOBA | wRC+ |
| 2008 | 38 | 20 | .305 | .375 | .510 | .885 | 132 | .382 | 133 |
| 2009 | 42 | 31 | .272 | .361 | .508 | .869 | 131 | .370 | 127 |
| 2010 | 33 | 23 | .292 | .364 | .493 | .857 | 133 | .367 | 129 |
| 2011 | 30 | 11 | .292 | .368 | .421 | .789 | 121 | .343 | 118 |
Ethier made $9.25 million in 2011 in the final season of a two-year contract. He is arbitration eligible this offseason and figures to make at least $12 million in his final year before free agency. Colletti and Ethier have both expressed desire for Ethier to sign a long-term deal to remain in Los Angeles, but with the ownership uncertainty and the team currently in bankruptcy that doesn't figure to happen this offseason.
Be sure to read the reaction to Andre Ethier being out for the season on True Blue LA.
Andre Ethier Has Arthroscopic Surgery On Right Knee
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star outfielder Andre Ethier had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday morning. The surgery, which was performed by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, lasted roughly 35 minutes, and cleaned up the wear and tear behind his right kneecap. Ethier will begin his rehabilitation next week in Arizona, and the recovery period is expected to be six to eight weeks.
Ethier suffered a power outage in 2011, hitting 11 home runs in 135 games after hitting 23 long balls in 139 games in 2010. He began 2011 with a 30-game hitting streak that lasted through the beginning of May, and rode a hot start into his second straight All-Star appearance. After the break, Ethier hit .252/.339/.333 with two home runs in 45 games.
Ethier made $9.25 million in 2011 in the second year of a two-year contract. He has one more year of arbitration eligibility before hitting free agency, and is expected to make $12 million or more in 2012.
Be sure to read the reaction to Andre Ethier being out for the season on True Blue LA.
Sep 14 1:59p by Eric Stephen