Andre Ethier still feels soreness in back, no timetable for return

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has resumed running and some other exercises, but his return timetable is likely still to be measured in weeks rather than days from the herniated disc in his back.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ethier has run this week and also done some plyometric exercises, and is still feeling what was described as normal soreness in his back.

“As far as on the baseball front, I don’t know when that’s going to be,” Roberts said. “He’s still a ways out.”

Ethier, who began the season on the disabled list, still hasn’t been cleared for baseball activities, but once that starts he will begin a progression of increased activity, then eventually a minor league rehab assignment.

When Ethier met with the Dodgers medical staff and back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in Arizona on Mar. 25, this plan of action was chosen, which included shutting him down until this week, when he has resumed running. But there is no clear timetable yet for his return.

“There was a path to potentially be down for 4-5 weeks, or try to take a little bit more of an aggressive approach and know that you’re going to go through some soreness, and balance that out,” Roberts said. “That’s how Andre wanted to go about it. Each day as he tries to get closer and does more activity, it will let us know how aggressive we can continue to be.”

Stewart update

Speaking of no timetable, Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart began the year on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. The good news is that he has resumed playing catch, at least, throwing from up to 75 feet this week, per Roberts, while also doing strengthening exercises for his shoulder.

But there isn’t yet a target date for Stewart’s return.

“He’s still a ways away,” Roberts said.