Andre Ethier not yet back in lineup for Dodgers vs. Giants

The Dodgers will take on the Giants beginning Tuesday night in San Francisco, but the awaited return of Andre Ethier to the starting lineup will be put on hold for at least one more day. Ethier is not in the starting lineup on Tuesday night for the Dodgers.

Ethier made a pinch-hitting appearance on Sunday in San Diego after missing eight games with a sore ankle. His last start came on Sept. 13 against the Giants at Dodger Stadium, when he left in the eighth inning. Manager Don Mattingly on Sunday had pegged Tuesday as a potential date for Ethier's lineup return.

Before Tuesday's game Ethier shagged fly balls in the outfield and then ran the bases, but "looked pretty tentative rounding second," per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. That was the same diagnosis given to Matt Kemp on Sept. 16 in Arizona, when he was activated but not in the starting lineup, though Kemp started one day later after showing improvement. Ethier made just one sprint on the bases, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Tony Jackson has more, from Ethier:

Ethier says he feels normal swinging, but rounding bases still uncomfortable.

— Anthony Jackson (@dodgerscribe) September 24, 2013

Ethier is hitting .272/.360/.423 with 33 doubles and 12 home runs in 142 games this season, including .278/.382/.503 with seven home runs and 15 doubles in 51 games since the All-Star break.

Game info

Time: 7:15 p.m.

TV: KCAL

MLB Gameday