Andre Ethier’s rehab assignment could be soon; outfielder expected back in September.

Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier (right) has been taking part in baseball activities in Arizona in recent days. (Getty Images)

The Dodgers expect Andre Ethier to return from his fractured right tibia “sometime in September,” manager Dave Roberts said, and the outfielder could be headed out on a minor league rehab assignment soon.

Roberts stopped short of saying that Ethier’s leg is 100 percent healed, but the manager said “it’s improved.”

“Internally we’re talking about a rehab assignment, but there is nothing hard or definitive with ‘Dre as far as a rehab,” Roberts said. “Obviously he’s going to be in need of rehab. But as far as when that actually begins, I’m not too sure.”

Ethier has been doing baseball activities in Arizona for several days now. While he’s expressed “hope” of getting Ethier back this season for months, Roberts’ comments Tuesday were the first indication of a timetable to have him in a Dodgers uniform.

The 34-year-old hasn’t played since fouling a ball off his right leg in a spring training game.

“I think about 10 days ago, a little under two weeks, the medical staff reached out to me and said that ‘Dre turned a corner — the recovering and bearing weight and jogging, it was about 10 days ago,” Roberts said. “We’re all looking forward to getting him back.”

Ethier’s time off from baseball activities lasted roughly four months. Weeks of rehab games typically follow such a long layoff, but the Dodgers don’t have the luxury of time. The minor league regular seasons end Sept. 5, followed by up to two weeks of playoffs.

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga would make the playoffs if the California League season ended today. Double-A Tulsa would not, although the Drillers are only two games out of first place; they would need to end the season in first place in order to clinch a playoff berth. Triple-A Oklahoma City is 7 ½ games ahead of the second place team in the Pacific Coast League’s North Division; their magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 7.

Roberts indicated that re-integrating Ethier into the Dodgers’ rotation, whenever he’s ready, will be a luxury and not a burden.

“I think that Andre is part of the nucleus of this club,” Roberts said. “He’s a proven, consistent performer. He gets along well with everyone. He’s been around, in and out. To a man we’re excited to get him back. He’s missed out on a lot. We’re looking forward to him contributing.”

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.