Andre Ethier scratched with stiff back

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PEORIA, Ariz. -- Right fielder Andre Ethier was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup before Saturday's Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners with back stiffness.

Ethier didn't make the 12-mile bus trip to Peoria Sports Complex for the game after experiencing stiffness in the middle of his back during batting practice at Camelback Ranch.

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The stiffness was described as mild, and Ethier is listed as day to day.

The 29-year-old Ethier, an All-Star each of the past two seasons, is eligible for free agency after the 2012 season. He was off to a torrid start this spring, with five hits in his first eight at-bats, including two doubles, a triple and a home run.

Ethier slumped in the second half of last season, hitting .252 with two homers and 18 RBIs after the All-Star break. He missed the final three weeks of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee.

Ethier and most of the Dodgers' regulars are scheduled to have Sunday off.

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Tony Jackson

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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• Joined ESPNLosAngeles.com in 2010
• Covered the Dodgers for the Los Angeles Daily News for more than five seasons
• Has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis for 15 years in Denver, Cincinnati and Los Angeles.