Kemp, Ethier Returning To Dodger Lineup

Matt Kemp Out Through All-Star Break

When Matt Kemp went back on the disabled list just two days after returning from the disabled list, aggravating the same hamstring injury that put him on the list the first time … following this? … the best-case scenario for him was a return in four weeks, which would have made that just about now.

Kemp isn’t back. And he won’t be back for a couple more weeks, at least. Dylan Hernandez:

Matt Kemp isn’t being counted on to return before the All-Star break, Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Monday.

"We’re hoping to get him back after the break," Mattingly said.

Kemp will have to play five or six games in the minor leagues before he is activated from the disabled list. Mattingly is hopeful Kemp can start his rehabilitation assignment before the July 10 All-Star game.

Kemp won’t play in the All-Star Game, but Hernandez writes that he can be in the Home Run Derby — for which he is the National League captain. Whether he’ll do that or not has yet to be determined.

For more on the Dodgers, please visit True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Matt Kemp Injury: Out For At Least 1 Month

The first quote about Matt Kemp's status was discouraging, as Don Mattingly suggested that two weeks on the Disabled List wasn't enough for Kemp the first time, so he'd probably stay longer this time.

The second quote's a bit more specific, and just as discouraging:

Dodgers trainer Sue Falsone said best case scenario for Matt Kemp's return is 4 weeks

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) June 1, 2012

Best case.

Kemp now has two Grade 1 hamstring strains: same hammy, different areas. Which certainly kills his MVP chances -- oh, and remember all that loose talk about a 50/50 season? -- but doesn't destroy the Dodgers' hopes, generally. They've still got a healthy lead in the National League West, and easily the best run differential in that division.

They've probably been a bit over their heads, though. Eventually they're probably going to need Matt Kemp playing every day, or somebody's likely to catch them.

Matt Kemp Back To DL; Alex Castellanos Recalled By Dodgers

The Dodgers’ Matt Kemp was having a really, really, really good year.

Then he got hurt. Hamstring issue.

Then he came back! The season can pick up where it left off, right?

Whoops. Hurt again Wednesday night, Kemp is now back on the 15-day disabled list:

Alex Castellanos is being called up from AAA to replace DL-bound Matt Kemp, sources tell me and Kevin Baxter: lat.ms/JUGR9v

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 31, 2012

To replace him, the Dodgers are calling up someone who is hitting a ton even by Pacific Coast League standards. Castellanos is absolutely destroying PCL pitching: .379/.476.759 in 105 plate appearances, which includes 19 extra-base hits in 22 games (10 doubles, four triples, five home runs). He’s also stolen nine bases in 11 attempts.

Castellanos was acquired by the Dodgers from the Cardinals in the Rafael Furcal trade last July. Originally drafted as an infielder, he’d been playing the outfield for the last two seasons, but the Dodgers moved him to second base this year. With the injury to regular second baseman Mark Ellis, and that batting pedigree, Castellanos should get some regular playing time. It’s his first time on a major league roster.

For more on the Dodgers, please visit True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Matt Kemp Likely Back On DL

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Matt Kemp re-aggravated his left hamstring scoring on an Andre Ethier double on Wednesday night, and from all indications it doesn't sound like a day-to-day sort of tweak. First, from Bob Nightengale:

Matt Kemp says he expects to be back on the DL once again with his nagging hamstring, and this time, could be out a month. #Dodgers #MLB

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 31, 2012

And then from Kemp himself:

When asked if he would require another stint on the disabled list Kemp said, "I would think so. It feels worse than the first time. We'll see tomorrow. Hopefully the MRI comes back good."

Or you could just gauge how pleased he was with the situation right after it happened:

That's a bat he broke over his leg because, as Vin Scully said, Kemp was "angry with the baseball gods." Without Kemp, the Dodgers will likely get creative, using Tony Gwynn, Jr. and Andre Ethier in center. We're this much closer to a Juan Rivera/Andre Ethier/Bobby Abreu outfield everyone, so keep your fingers crossed and your GIF-maker ready.

Matt Kemp Injury: Back To DL With Hamstring Problem?

A few weeks ago, Matt Kemp was the Most Valuable Player in the National League. Sort of like last year, except he didn't win an actual trophy because his team wasn't real good. This year his team was real good and, if the balloting had happened a few weeks ago, Kemp would have been the MVP. Unanimously.

Then he hurt his hamstring and went on the Disabled List. And somehow his Dodgers just kept on winning without him, going 9-5 in Kemp's absence.

Well, now it looks like they'll have another chance to shine without their biggest star. Wednesday night, in just his second game after coming off the DL, Kemp re-injured his hamstring while scoring a run against the Brewers in the first inning, and immediately exited the proceedings, though not before snapping a bat over his knee in abject frustration.

There's no word yet on Kemp's immediate future. But with Bobby Abreu ensconced in left field (at least against right-handed pitchers) and Andre Ethier having a great season in right, Tony Gwynn Jr. will slide back into center field until Kemp's healthy.

Matt Kemp Activated From DL By Dodgers

The Dodgers are getting their best hitter back, effective Tuesday night.

Matt Kemp Going On DL With Hamstring Injury

Matt Kemp will go on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring issue. The Dodgers center fielder had played in 399 consecutive games before Monday.