Ethier (back/hip) remains out of the lineup Wednesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ethier has been out of action since March 6 due to back soreness and nagging hip tightness, and it's uncertain when he may return to the Dodgers' lineup. There's still time to prepare for Opening Day, but it's a bit troubling that the soon-to-be 35-year-old is already battling discomfort in a couple areas. He was limited to 16 games last season to a leg fracture.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Ethier (back) will be out for a few more days, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The embattled outfielder left Monday's exhibition game early with a sore back, but reports also state that he's dealing with some nagging hip tightness. Nonetheless, Ethier seems to be moving in the wrong direction in terms of his health, although hopefully the extra days off will game him back on track to appear in spring games again soon. If he can return to full health, Ethier projects as a reserve outfielder for Los Angeles this season.

Ethier (back) won't start Saturday, but the Dodgers are hopeful that he will be able to return Sunday, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

EDGE Analysis

It had been previously reported that Ethier would return Saturday, so his absence suggests his back is taking a little longer to get right. He is on track to open the year as a bench bat on a very deep Dodgers roster.

Manager Dave Roberts said that he expects Ethier (back) to return to the lineup Saturday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ethier left Monday's tilt against the Rockies with a minor back ailment. The veteran outfielder was able to take swings in the batting cages without any setback Tuesday, and Roberts' statement confirms that the back issue is nothing to worry about. Ethier should be a lock to make the 25-man roster, but he is trying to regain an everyday role after missing the majority of the 2016 season with a leg injury.

Ethier (back) was able to hit in the cage Tuesday, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

EDGE Analysis

He said he was feeling better a day after being remove from Monday's exhibition game with soreness in his back. Look for him to get back into game action in the coming days.

Ethier removed himself from Monday's game because he felt soreness in his back while running, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old left in the middle of the game with a trainer, but the fact that he was able to jog off suggests the injury isn't overly serious. He'll likely be ready for action within the next couple of days, but Ethier could be held out longer as the Dodgers have no need to rush him back.

Ethier was one of four names mentioned as possible leadoff hitters this season, SB Nation reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was a little surprising seeing Ethier mentioned as a candidate to lead off when you consider his age and the nature of his leg injury that cost him the majority of the 2016 season. Manager Dave Roberts may be taking a less-traditional approach to his leadoff options this year, simply looking at on-base percentage instead of also incorporating speed into the equation (career .359 on-base percentage for Ethier). Roberts did vouch for his outfielder's health, so a strong spring would go a long way in carving out a significant role come Opening Day, even if it is not as a leadoff hitter.

Ethier said he is dealing with no lingering effects from his leg fracture last season, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old missed most of 2016 after he fractured his right tibia in spring, although he returned at the end of the year to play in 16 games. A healthy Ethier will help the Dodgers with his career .303 average against right-handed pitchers.

With several major league options in the outfield, Ethier could land in a platoon in right field,

EDGE Analysis

This move makes a lot of baseball sense with Ethier having heavy lefty-righty splits throughout his career (.303 against RHP and .234 against LHP). The assumption is that he would be platoon mates with former All-Star Yasiel Puig. Whether or not the latter is comfortable with being a part-time player is yet to be seen, but he handled a demotion to the minors well last season. If this plan holds true, left-handed Ethier would be on the more-desirable side of the platoon.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ethier will be included on the team's postseason roster, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ethier has seen all of 23 at-bats this season while spending most of the campaign recovering from a fractured right tibia suffered in spring training. While he hasn't been a regular in the lineup since rejoining the Dodgers in September, Ethier's career-long success against right-handed pitching will make him an asset as either a platoon option in the corner outfield or as a pinch-hitter.