Dodgers shut down Ethier

Andre Ethier’s terrific 2011 season is over.

In a year that saw him put together a 30-game hitting streak, the 29-year-old outfielder has been shut down for the rest of the season with a right knee injury, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Thursday before the start of the game with the Washington Nationals.

“It sounds like this is it,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.

Ethier, who batted .292 with 11 home runs and 62 RBIs, said he will have the knee examined by Dr. James Andrews.

“I’m just trying to figure this whole thing out right now and figure out a way to get it better where it won’t affect me for spring training,” Ethier said.

He said he had no emotional reaction to his season ending. “Don’t feel anything. Still waiting, have to go figure out what’s going on,” Ethier said.

Ethier’s 30-game hitting streak – the second-longest in Dodgers history – and the second-longest in the major leagues this season – was one of the few highlights for the team in 2011. The Dodgers went into bankruptcy protection and are in third place in the N.L. West – far out of contention.

Brewers activate Weeks from DL

The Milwaukee Brewers activated second baseman Rickie Weeks from the disabled list just before their game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Weeks, the starting second baseman for the National League in the All-Star game, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 28 with a severely sprained left ankle.

He was injured legging out an infield hit against the Chicago Cubs and awkwardly stepped on first base.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he plans to bring Weeks along slowly, limiting him to pinch-hitting duties.

Weeks was batting .272 with 19 home runs and 34 RBIs before the injury.

Utley sits out after being hit in head

The Philadelphia Phillies kept second baseman Chase Utley out of the lineup for their game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Utley was hit on the back of the helmet Wednesday by a pitch from Atlanta reliever Eric O’Flaherty and MLB’s new concussion protocol dictates two days of rest.

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said that it was unlikely Utley would play the weekend series against the Brewers, who lead St. Louis by eight games in the N.L. Central.

Proefrock said Utley would have tests to determine if he had a concussion.