Andre Ethier has broken right tibia, expected to miss 10-14 weeks

PHOENIX -- The Dodgers got results of the CT scan of Andre Ethier's right leg, and the news was not good. The outfielder has a fractured right tibia and is expected to miss 10-14 weeks, the club announced on Tuesday.

Ethier doesn't need surgery, but the recovery time will likely have him out until at least June, if not July.

"You feel for Andre. He's had such a good spring, was looking forward to this season. He's a big part of what we do," manager Dave Roberts said. "He thought this was just a contusion, and now to be out 10-14 weeks, whatever the number, it has to be frustrating."

Ethier fouled a ball directly off his right shin bone on Friday in the fourth inning against the Diamondbacks. He remained on crutches the next three days and was unable to put any weight on the leg, which precipitated the CT scan on Monday.

Roberts said Ethier was frustrated, and he sent the outfielder home for a few days to be with his family and clear his head.

In the immediate future, Roberts said left field will be a combination of Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke getting the lions share of playing time.

"We talk a lot about depth in the offseason and it falls on deaf ears and it's not necessarily something that manifests itself until halfway through the season. Unfortunately we tapped into it a little earlier," president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "That said, we're excited about the guys we have on hand."

Those guys on hand will need to fill a roster spot vacated by Ether for a few months, and it sounds like Trayce Thompson, who can play all three outfield spots, is a prime candidate for a reserve role now that Ethier is sidelined.

"We're working Trayce in there to see how our roster shakes out," Roberts said. "I don't think Trayce's numbers have shown it this spring, but he's done a lot of good things.The way he's swinging the bat, the hard contact, seeing good pitching. He's not punching out a whole bunch."

Thompson, hitting .200/.250/.422 this spring, starts in left field on Tuesday night against the Royals. This is his 20th game in 20 days of Cactus League play, and he leads the Dodgers in plate appearances and defensive innings this spring.

Alex Guerrero, who unlike Thompson can't be sent to the minors without his consent, made 27 starts in left field in 2015 in addition to 18 starts at third base. So far this spring Guerrero has been limited to the hot corner or designated hitter.

"I see him as a third baseman. We might get him out there taking some balls," Roberts said. "Obviously when you lose Andre you have to reassess. We're going to have that discussion."