Dodgers’ Mark Ellis came within hours of possibly losing his leg

That leg surgery on Mark Ellis apparently was even more serious than first suspected.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Sunday if the surgery had not been performed that Ellis was mere hours away from losing his lower left leg.

Mattingly said Dr. Neal ElAttrache told him the muscle might have died if surgeons had performed the fasciotomy six or seven hours later.

Surgeons cut an approximately six-inch incision on the outside of his left calf Saturday to drain blood and fluid that was applying severe pressure to the muscle. Ellis is scheduled to remain in the hospital to allow continued drainage until the flap is sewed back on Tuesday.

Mattingly said he went and visited Ellis at his hospital after Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals.

“He was in as good a spirits as he could be,� Mattingly said. “He had a little medication in him.�

Mattingly said the injury is rare for athletes and was told by doctors it is more common for victims of car accidents. Ellis was placed on the disabled list Saturday and is expected to be out for approximately six weeks.

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