Andre Ethier day-to-day with ankle injury

LOS ANGELES -- Andre Ethier came to Dodger Stadium for Sunday's optional workout one day before Game 3 of the NLCS against the Cardinals, but didn't test his injured left ankle. Much like Hanley Ramirez, Ethier is in a bit of a holding period and the Dodgers will wait and see how his ankle feels Monday before deciding whether or not he will start in center field.

"I needed to be able to play center field and make the plays in a game with that much importance," Ethier said. "We're working toward a point where it's not a question mark on the defensive side.

"Defensively I didn't think [playing center field in Game 2] was the right thing to do with that the team needed."

Ethier played 12 innings in center field in Game 1 of the NLCS on Friday, his first time playing the field since Sept. 13. He was unable to track down a double to the wall by Carlos Beltran in the third inning that drove in two runs and tied the game for the Cardinals, who won in 13 innings.

Ethier was held out of the lineup in Game 2, but did appear as a pinch hitter, striking out on three pitches against Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth inning.

"He's going to be day-to-day. Probably closer to, not necessarily a game-time decision, but we probably won't make the decision until we get here tomorrow of what he's going to do."

Ethier said he is able to hit and run the bases reasonably well with the ankle injury, that he no longer needs to prove he can run the bases to be cleared to play. The only question remains whether or not he will be able to effectively play center field.

"I think we're past the process of testing. The only thing that's going to make it feel better is rest, and we're not in a position where we can rest it. It feels good enough where we can push forward and try to play.