Dodgers’ Mark Ellis released from hospital

Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis returned home from the hospital Thursday, five days after undergoing emergency surgery on his left leg.

Ellis was injured last Friday when Tyler Greene of the St. Louis Cardinals slid into him at second base. The next day, Ellis had fluid and blood drained from his leg. The procedure was required because the pressure on Ellis’ muscles and joints was building.

Team physician Neal ElAttrache told Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly that Ellis was several hours away from losing the lower part of his leg.

Ellis is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. He was signed by the Dodgers during the off-season as a free agent and had quickly become a mainstay, playing flawless defense while hitting .273 and executing well in the No. 2 spot in the batting order.