Andre Ethier, who has been battling a left ankle injury, is hopeful that he'll be able to pinch hit early in the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.

Ethier remains optimistic that he'll be able to play the outfield for the Los Angeles Dodgers later in the series.

"It's probably just a hitting role; that's what our best hope is," Ethier said. "Who knows, maybe we wake up Saturday and Sunday and it feels good enough to go full-go. Hitting-wise it feels good enough. We'll worry about what to do after I get on first base then. I just want to figure out a way to contribute any way I can and not become a hindrance."

Ethier hit .272/.360/.423 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs this season.