Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier met with the media on Thursday afternoon for the first time since learning that he would be out for 10 to 14 weeks after fouling a ball off his leg on March 11 that fractured his right tibia.

Although the soon-to-be 34-year-old Phoenix native was visibly disappointed, he is taking the situation exceptionally well and even hopes that his younger teammates understand just how fragile their careers are and can vanish in an instant.

“I think the most disappointing part about it all is just getting games taken away from you,” Ethier said. “I was talking to some of the young guys through texting, you don’t realize how many opportunities you’re going to get to play and keep playing and then when something like this takes games away from the possible chance you get to keep playing more. And that’s probably the toughest part to swallow is knowing that those games are getting taken away.”

Ethier said that the biggest disappointment with his injury are the games being taken away from him at this point in his career. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

Ethier said that he initially didn’t think that this one was any different than the hundreds of other balls he’s fouled off his legs during his career, but that changed once he was sitting in the dugout.

“I guess the only time it felt that it was different was when I was sitting in the dugout and I felt that throbbing and kind of sharp pain and I went to take a step and that’s when I knew it felt different,” Ethier said. “But who knows, maybe it was just a bad bone bruise. I didn’t really think anything of it until probably Sunday, Monday morning when they were still not progressing with it.”

But for as frustrating as all of this is for the senior member of the team, the thing that is perhaps most frustrating is that Ethier had a great second half last year and was red hot thus far through spring training.

“Not trying to toot myself too much but I feel like I was at the point where I was making a difference again and helping this team to a certain extent and providing them with a guy that can make a difference for them,” said Ethier. “When that just kind of gets just taken away on something so freak like this, that makes it tough. But it gives me time to sit back and feel for what other things I have and figure out a way to come back and get strong again.”

Although the Dodgers have considerable outfield depth behind Ethier in Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke and newcomer Trayce Thompson, Ethier’s absence and veteran presence will be missed in the Dodgers clubhouse, as he will, in all likelihood, remain in Arizona for extended spring training (and the fact that he lives in Phoenix) rather than travel with the team.

“I think that Andre will be with us on Opening Day in San Diego and probably the home opener but I’ve given him the option,” Roberts said. “But if he wants to do his rehab here (in Arizona) until he starts doing the baseball specific activities, there’s really no need for him to be with us. I’d rather him be comfortable and keep his mind right as he’s rehabbing.”