To say that the 2011 Dodgers have been bitten by the injury bug would be a bit of an understatement. Andre Ethier is the latest to succumb to an injury, as he was removed in the bottom of the fourth inning in the middle of the inning, one play after crashing into the right field wall. Ethier crashed into the wall on a drive by Juan Pierre (yes, you read that correctly), then grimaced after he threw the ball back into the infield.
Alexei Ramirez was the next batter and lifted a pop fly into short right field, but Ethier had trouble running in and the ball dropped for a single. Manager Don Mattingly sent Tony Gwynn Jr. out to right field to take Ethier's place after that single. Ethier watched in the dugout for a few plays before walking to the clubhouse with trainer Stan Conte.
It is unknown exactly what Ethier injured, but it appeared to be a knee or hip injury of some sort. Catcher Rod Barajas also left the game after the bottom of the fourth after he appeared to be spiked at home plate, though it is unknown whether or not he left because of an injury. After all, the Dodgers trailed 6-0 at the time.
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