Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Andre Ethier (ankle) should be available to pinch-hit or double-switch in Saturday's Game 2 against the Cardinals. Ethier returned to the lineup on Friday (1-for-5, walk), but he's gutting through ankle pain and isn't healthy enough to play every day. Skip Schumaker replaced Ethier in center field in Saturday's lineup.

Andre Ethier (ankle) is in the Dodgers' lineup for Friday's Game 1 of the NLCS. He's batting seventh and playing center field. Ethier is still dealing with some pain above his left ankle, but he tested things out the last two days and is feeling well enough to give it a go. The outfielder had been limited to pinch-hitting duty since mid-September.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Andre Ethier (ankle) could be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLCS on Friday. CBS Sports' Danny Knobler reported earlier Thursday that Ethier wouldn't be ready to play center field early on in the series, but evidently he might have jumped the gun. It's still possible that the Dodgers will play it safe and continue to limit Ethier to pinch-hitting duty. He hasn't started a game since September 13.

CBS Sports' Danny Knobler reports that the Dodgers don't expect Andre Ethier (ankle) to be ready to play center field at the beginning of the NLCS. He has, however, improved enough that he probably won't need a pinch-runner should he reach base as a pinch-hitter. Ethier has tested out his left ankle in workouts the last two days and could conceivably be ready to play the outfield by the end of the NLCS or the World Series should the Dodgers advance.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Andre Ethier (ankle) didn't look "all that great" while working out in center field Wednesday. The club will put Ethier through another workout on Thursday before deciding whether he's ready to play the position in the NLCS. Ethier has been limited to pinch-hitting duty since mid-September due to pain above his left ankle.

Andre Ethier (ankle) is hoping to be in the Dodgers' lineup for NLCS Game 1 on Friday in St. Louis. Ethier was able to shag gap-to-gap fly balls on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium without experiencing any sort of issues with his left ankle. "It feels good," Ethier told reporters after his workout. "We'll see where I am tomorrow." He could be the Dodgers' primary center fielder in their best-of-seven NLCS with the Cardinals. Skip Schumaker filled that role in the four-game NLDS with Atlanta.

Andre Ethier did some work in center field during batting practice before Game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday. Skip Schumaker is getting the start in center field for the Dodgers on Sunday, but this could be an indication that Ethier's ankle is getting closer to being game-ready. He'll continue to be used solely as a pinch-hitter for the time being.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Saturday that it would be a "great surprise" if Andre Ethier (ankle) is able to play the outfield during the NLDS. Ethier has experienced modest improvement with his pain above his left ankle, but he didn't do any running during Saturday's workout and remains limited to pinch-hitting duty. He has grounded out and drawn a walk in his two pinch-hitting appearances this series.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Andre Ethier's ankle injury has improved enough that he won't necessarily need a pinch-runner should he reach base. Ethier remains unable to play the outfield, but he's improving slowly but surely. It's possible he'll be available for more than pinch-hitting duty later in the postseason should the Dodgers keep advancing.

Andre Ethier (ankle) did not do any outfield drills during Wednesday's workout. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick said Ethier "shagged gingerly" in center during batting practice. The outfielder is on the Dodgers' NLDS roster but is expected to be limited to pinch-hitting duty.