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Andre Ethier is headed for knee surgery

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Sharpen up the blades -- or whatever those itty-bitty things used in arthroscopic surgery are called -– because Andre Ethier is headed for surgery.

Just like he said to T.J. Simers two weeks ago. You know, before all the shocked response and he’s good to go far as we know reaction.

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Ethier met with Dr. James Andres in Alabama on Friday, who confirmed the right knee would require arthroscopic surgery. Which apparently is what team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache is now also on board with. And just to make sure, they are sending a copy of Ethier’s MRI to famed Colorado knee surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman for a final confirmation.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Friday the clean-up surgery has yet to be scheduled, but the procedure typically requires about eight weeks of rehab. Meaning, Ethier should well on his way to full recovery long before spring training.

Meanwhile, if the Dodgers were privately hoping to deal him, his trade value has to have plummeted. And re-signing him to a long-term contract is now somewhat risky, given his lack of power this season and general uneven production since he broke his pinky in May, 2010.

Best guess: They gamble and re-sign him for one year, hoping he makes a full, power-laden recovery. And then just maybe at the end of the next season, they know more about Ethier and their ownership situation.

-- Steve Dilbeck

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