Matt Kemp To Continue Minor League Rehab With Triple A Albuquerque

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar outfielder Matt Kemp continued his minor league rehab assignment on Friday night by starting in center field for the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. But Friday will be Kemp's final game with Rancho Cucamonga, as he will take his show on the road to Albuquerque this weekend.

Kemp, who has been on the disabled list since May 31 with a strained left hamstring, will continue his rehab with Triple A Albuquerque on Saturday and Sunday, per Dodger Talk co-host David Vassegh of KLAC AM 570.

After serving as the designated hitter on Tuesday night for Rancho Cucamonga, Kemp has started the last three games in center field. He played five innings in the field on Wednesday and seven innings on Thursday.

Kemp is expected to participate in Home Run Derby on Monday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, but he will not play in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday. Kemp is also scheduled to be activated by the Dodgers for their game on Friday, July 13 against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

For all your Dodgers news and analysis, be sure to read True Blue LA. To keep up with Diamondbacks news and notes, be sure to read AZ Snake Pit or SB Nation Arizona.

Matt Kemp Plays 7 Innings In Center Field In Minor League Rehab Game

Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star outfielder Matt Kemp continued his rehab assignment on Thursday night with the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes as they were in San Bernardino to play the Inland Empire 66ers, an Angels affiliate.

Kemp went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout, with Angels prospect Eric Cendejas recording the punchout. "It's not going to be the last game I strike out. The guy threw me a good pitch," Kemp told Pete Alexander of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

Kemp played seven innings in center field on Thursday, after playing five innings in center field on Wednesday.

In three games with Rancho Cucamonga, Kemp is 5-for-11 with a double, two runs scored, and four RBI. He will continue his rehab with the Quakes on Friday with one more game against the 66ers, followed by a pair of road games in San Jose on Saturday and Sunday.

Kemp is scheduled to take part in Home Run Derby on Monday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, but will not play in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Kemp is scheduled to be activated by the Dodgers on July 13, their first game after the break.

For all your Dodgers news and analysis, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Doubles In Rehab Game, Will Make Weekend Trip To San Jose

Matt Kemp played in his second rehab game for the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Wednesday night, and the All-Star outfielder will continue to rehab through Sunday with the Quakes, including a trip to San Jose on Saturday and Sunday.

Kemp went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and three RBI on Wednesday for Rancho Cucamonga, and in two games with the Quakes is 4-for-7 (.571) with a walk, a double, two runs scored and three RBI. Kemp played five innings in center field on Wednesday night.

The plan for Kemp is to play four more games with Rancho Cucamonga, then travel to Kansas City on Monday, where he will compete in the Home Run Derby at Kaffuman Stadium in Kansas City as part of the All-Star festivities. Kemp was voted into the National League starting lineup but will not play in the game on Tuesday.

Kemp, who has missed 47 of the Dodgers' last 49 games through Wednesday, is expected to return to the Dodgers on July 13, when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres in their first game after the All-Star break.

For all your Dodgers news and analysis, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Begins Minor League Rehab Assignment

For the first time in over a month, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp played competitive baseball on Tuesday night, beginning his minor league rehab assignment with the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Kemp has been on the disabled list since May 31 with a strained left hamstring and has missed 46 of the last 48 games for the Dodgers.

"The guys, they’ve been really cool and it’s just great to be down here with them," Kemp told Jim Alexander of the Press Enterprise. "If they need anything, any advice on how to get to the big leagues, I’m here for them, just like the big leaguers were there for me when I was in the (minors)."

Kemp went 2-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout, and a run scored on Tuesday night, and will continue to rehab with the Quakes through Friday as they battle the Inland Empire 66ers in nearby San Bernardino. The Quakes travel to San Jose for the weekend, so there is a chance Kemp could continue his rehab Saturday and Sunday in New Mexico with Triple A Albuquerque.

Kemp was voted into the All-Star Game but will not play. On Tuesday, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves was named by manager Tony La Russa to replace Kemp on the All-Star roster. Kemp will, however, take part in the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 9 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Rancho Cucamonga sold out on Tuesday night as Kemp wasn't the only Dodger playing for the Quakes. Relief pitcher Javy Guerra started and pitched one inning, striking out one, in his second rehab game, and could be activated as early as Thursday. Second baseman Mark Ellis went 2-for-4 in his fourth rehab game with the Quakes and could be activated as soon as Wednesday.

For all your Dodgers news and analysis, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Begins Rehab Assignment; Expected Back After Break

It looks like Matt Kemp's long stay in injury purgatory is finally coming to a close as the team as the Dodger's star outfielder begins his rehabilitation assignment tomorrow. Kemp has been sidelined since May 31 with a strained left hamstring.

Kemp will report to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga as the team's designated hitter. The first game of his rehab assignment at the Epicenter is already sold out, a spokesman for the Class-A team revealed.

Coach Don Mattingly said the plan is to have Kemp DH on Tuesday, play center field on Wednesday, and most likely DH one more day. Kemp will play minor league games up until the All Star Break, at which time he will compete in the Home Run Derby. Mattingly said the all star festivities would essentially serve as his days off.

If all goes according to plan, Kemp will be activated in time for the Dodger's first game after the break on July 13 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For more information on Matt Kemp's status with the Los Angeles Dodgers, stick with this storystream. For all your Dodgers needs head over to True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: Dodgers CF Might Not Return Until After All-Star Break

It appears that Dodgers fans will have to wait until after the Midsummer Night Classic before their star center-fielder returns to play. Don Mattingly said on Sunday that it is a wait and see approach to rehabbing Matt Kemp's injured hamstring and that, "They are adding stuff for him to do, having him do more. It's a reaction to how he reacts to that."

Today, Dylan Hernandez, the Dodgers beat reporter for the LA Times, tweeted that Kemp will not play in the All-Star Game unless he has played for the Dodgers beforehand, and would also need five or six minor league rehab games in the process. He would however be OK with Kemp taking part in the home-run derby.

For more information on Matt Kemp's status with the Los Angeles Dodgers, stick with this storystream. For all your Dodgers needs head over to True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury Update: Kemp Doesn't Want To Rush Return

Progress for Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp is slow but steady as he makes his way back from a hamstring injury, reports the LA Times. Kemp was originally injured in early May, returned from that injury on May 29, only to reinjure his leg while running the bases two days later. Some speculated that he had returned too soon, but the Dodgers denied that was the case. Kemp isn't so sure, however:

"Maybe it was my fault, maybe I rushed it back the first time," Kemp said. "I thought I was good. It felt good. Running was good. This time I'm going to take a little bit more time."

That's frustrating for Kemp:

"It feels weird," Kemp said. "It definitely feels weird. I miss baseball. I want to play."

Dodgers fans surely echo that sentiment, and hope to see Kemp return as soon as he can do so safely.

For more on the Matt Kemp's status with the Los Angeles Dodgers, stick with this storystream. Fill all your Dodgers needs head over to True Blue LA.

Did Matt Kemp Rush Back From Hamstring Injury? Dodgers Say No

The MRI exam on Matt Kemp's left hamstring did not deliver good news on Thursday for the Dodgers, as the superstar center fielder will miss at least four weeks. Kemp has swelling in the area of his previous hamstring strain, the one that sidelined him for 14 games, as well as another strain in a slightly higher area of the hamstring.

Kemp suffered the injury on Wednesday night while running the bases, just one day after returning from the disabled list. Did Kemp return too soon? Dodgers trainer Sue Falsone doesn't think so.

"We have benchmarks and milestones in place, and he achieved all of those milestones, or he wouldn't have been
out there playing," said Falsone.

The Dodgers plan to play it safe with Kemp this time around, and won't rush him back, not that they believe they rushed him back the first time.

"Obviously with two strains in one muscle, it's going to be a little bit longer from a rehab standpoint, so we'll just take it day by day," Falsone said. "He's upset but he's a professional. Yesterday was what it was. Today is the day we start getting better."

For more news and information on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: Dodgers Slugger Expected To Miss At Least Four Weeks

Matt Kemp is having a rough season. After getting out to an MVP-caliber season in April, the Dodgers star outfielder has battled injuries throughout the last few weeks. Kemp finally returned to the lineup this week and hit well, but he re-injured his hamstring while running the bases on Wednesday night. Clearly in disgust with his leg, Kemp even slammed a bat over his knee in the dugout due to his understandable frustration.

He told reporters after the game that the injury was worse than the one he suffered a few weeks ago, and according to this report Kemp will miss a minimum of four weeks. For a Dodgers team that has struggled a bit in recent days, this cannot be good news.

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

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) June 1, 2012

Even once Kemp returns to the order in a month or so there is no guarantee that his hamstring will not bother him once again. There really isn't anything the slugger can do other than rest at this point, and a minor league rehab assignment will almost certainly be necessary. The Dodgers (and your fantasy team) will just have to survive without him for the few weeks.

For more on the Dodgers, be sure to check out True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Placed On Disabled List, Alex Castellanos Recalled To Dodgers From Triple A

The Los Angeles Dodgers made official on Thursday what pretty much everyone assumed was going to happen. Superstar center fielder Matt Kemp has been placed back on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, just two days after returning from a trip to the DL.

Kemp re-injured his hamstring while scoring from first base on a double in the first inning of Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Dodgers recalled Alex Castellanos from Triple A Albuquerque, where he was hitting .379 with 19 extra-base hits in 22 games. Castellanos, who was acquired last July 31 from the St. Louis Cardinals for Rafael Furcal, made the switch from outfield back to second base this season, where he started 19 games in Triple A.

Castellanos just returned Saturday after missing a month with his own left hamstring injury.

For more news and information on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: Alex Castellanos Reportedly Getting The Call From Triple A Albuquerque

The Los Angeles Dodgers have not yet made anything official regarding Matt Kemp, but it appears very likely the center fielder is headed back to the disabled list, just two days after he was activated, after re-aggravating his left hamstring injury in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

There is more evidence that Kemp is headed for the disabled list, as Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus reported that the Dodgers have called up second baseman Alex Castellanos from Triple A Albuquerque.

Sources have confirmed: The #Dodgers have called up 2B Alex Castellanos. I'm a believer in his bat.

— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) May 31, 2012

Castellanos hit .379/.476/.759 with 19 extra-base hits in 22 games in Triple A, and just returned Saturday after missing a month with a left hamstring injury of his own. He has started 19 games at second base this year after spending the last few years in the outfield.

The Dodgers lost second baseman Mark Ellis for at least two months with injuries to to his left leg and knee, and 27-year old Elian Herrera has filled in nicely so far, hitting .292/.358/.354 with eight runs scored in 14 games. But with Castellanos and his bat reportedly headed for Los Angeles, look for Herrera to switch to more of a utility role, playing the infield and outfield as needed, with Castellanos getting the lion's share of time at second.

For more news and information on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Hamstring Injury: 'It Feels Worse Than The First Time'

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar center fielder Matt Kemp may be headed back to the disabled list, just a short few days after he was activated from it. Kemp aggravated his left hamstring injury while scoring from first on a double in the first inning in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the postgame prognosis didn't sound too positive.

"I just felt it grab a little bit," said Kemp after the game. "It's hurting pretty good right now so we'll see what the MRI says tomorrow."

"He'll have an MRI tomorrow, and we'll know more then," said manager Don Mattingly. "Obviously it doesn't look good."

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."

The Dodgers went 9-5 without Kemp the first time he missed, but losing him again won't likely produce the same results. The Dodgers, despite losing their last three games, still own the best record in baseball at 32-18.

"We're not going to have a choice but to regroup and step up," said Mattingly. "We've built a little bit of a rainy day fund with the way we've played early."

For more news and information on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: MRI Exam Scheduled For Thursday

The news on Los Angeles Dodgers superstar center fielder Matt Kemp was as expected, as Kemp did indeed aggravate his left hamstring injury while scoring from first base on a double in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Dodgers announced on Wednesday night. Kemp will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday to determine the damage.

Kemp missed 14 games with a left hamstring strain, an injury he first felt on May 6 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Kemp played for another week, going 4-for-20, before injuring the hamstring on May 13 against the Colorado Rockies.

Left hamstring injuries have been quite common this year for the Dodgers. Jerry Hairston Jr. missed 16 games with a strained left hamstring before returning last Friday. Juan Rivera has missed 20 games so far with a more severe left hamstring injury as he ruptured a tendon, but he could be back as soon as this weekend.

For more news and information on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Leaves Game After One Inning With Apparent Leg Injujry

Just one day after returning from the disabled list, Matt Kemp was forced to leave Wednesday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers after just one inning, apparently aggravating the left hamstring injury that kept him out of action for 14 games. Kemp scored from first base on a double by Andre Ethier in the bottom of the first inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1-0 lead, but appeared to hurt himself while doing so.

Kemp was replaced by Tony Gwynn Jr. in center field at the top of the second inning.

The Dodgers managed to stay afloat without their superstar Kemp, going 9-5, but his production is badly needed in the middle of the lineup. Kemp is hitting .355/.444/.719 this season with 12 home runs in 36 games. He was excited on Tuesday, saying, "I woke up this morning and it felt like opening day."

But he was seen in the dugout breaking a bat in frustration over his injury on Wednesday.

For more news and information on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Dodgers Activate Matt Kemp From Disabled List

The Los Angeles Dodgers get their superstar back on Tuesday night as center fielder Matt Kemp has been activated from the disabled list before their game with the Milwaukee Brewers. Kemp returned back to Los Angeles Monday night after two rehab games with Triple A Albuquerque, in which he was 5-for-7 with two home runs.

Kemp is playing center field tonight for the Dodgers, hitting third.

Kemp was placed on the disabled list on May 14 with a left hamstring strain that was bothering him for more than a week. He was originally scratched from the lineup on May 6 at Wrigley Field in Chicago when he felt tightness in his left hamstring.

Kemp set a Dodgers franchise record with 12 home runs in 23 games in April, but thus far in May is homerless in 11 games, though seven of those games were when Kemp was dealing with his hamstring issues, during which time he went 4-for-20.

The Dodgers not only stayed afloat without Kemp, but thrived, going 9-5 while averaging 4.57 runs per game in his absence. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at 32-16.

To make room on the roster for Kemp, the Dodgers optioned Jerry Sands to Triple A Albuquerque.

Despite missing 14 games, Kemp is still tied for third in the National League with 12 home runs, one behind Ryan Braun of the Brewers and three behind league-leader Carlos Beltran of the St. Louis Cardinals.

For more news and information on the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: Left Hamstring Strain Lands Dodgers Star On Disabled List

One day after saying he was "definitely" not going on the disabled list, Matt Kemp on Monday did just that, as the Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder was shelved with a left hamstring strain. Kemp aggravated the injury on Sunday against the Rockies, and MRI results Monday confirmed the strain.

"It's a mild strain, but the doctor said if you do it again, it can go from a grade one to a grade two, and then you're talking four weeks," said manager Don Mattingly after the game. "Now he has a chance to get healthy, and make sure he doesn't have any long-term effects from this thing."

Kemp had his streak of 399 consecutive games played snapped on Monday, ending the longest active streak in MLB. Mattingly said he didn't expect Kemp to be on the disabled list for longer than 15 days, and that it took some convincing for his center fielder.

"We found out Matt wasn't going to give us the whole truth regarding his hamstring, so we were in a sense protecting him from himself," Mattingly said.

Kemp said he was disappointed but that he understood the decision.

"I just need to take some time, and hopefully I can get back to running fast doing the same thing I've been doing this year," Kemp said. "I want to be out there and help my team win but we're playing good. They got a win without me tonight."

To take Kemp's place on the roster, the Dodgers recalled outfielder Jerry Sands from Triple A Albuquerque.

For more news on Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Has Left Hamstring Injury, Out Of Dodgers Lineup

Matt Kemp is going to be taking some time to heal and will sit out at least tonight's game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kemp injured his hamstring against the Colorado Rockies yesterday, and that might keep him out for a spell.

Don't expect Kemp's absence to be long-lasting. Kemp had this to say on the injury:

"I haven't been able to play like I want to play. It's been a little bit scary because I didn't know how my hamstring would hold up. I think I just need to let it heal for a little bit. I don't know how much time that's going to take, but we'll see."

"I'm definitely not going on the DL. That's not happening. This team needs me."

Here are the current lineups for today's game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks.

D-Backs:
Bloomquist 6
Hill 4
Upton 9
Kubel 7
Goldschmidt 3
Montero 2
Roberts 5
Pollock 8
Kennedy 1

Dodgers:
Gordon 6
M Ellis 4
Abreu 7
Ethier 9
AJ Ellis 2
Loney 3
Uribe 5
Gwynn 8
Kershaw 1

To discuss Kemp being out of the lineup with Dodgers fans, hit up True Blue LA. To talk about Kemp being out with Diamondbacks fans, check out AZ Snake Pit.

Matt Kemp Says He's 'Definitely Not Going On Disabled List'

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp has an irritated left hamstring that caused him to leave Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies early. The All-Star and 2011 National League MVP runner-up will have an MRI on Monday to determine his status, but Kemp was sure the injury wouldn't cause him to be out for a long period of time.

"I'm definitely not going on the DL. That's not happening," Kemp said. "This team needs me."

Kemp first injured the hamstring last Sunday in Wrigley Field, and said it feels roughly the same a week later, with tightness. After hitting 12 home runs in 23 games in April, Kemp has no home runs in 11 games in May. Kemp said his whole game has been affected.

"I haven't been able to run the way I want to run," said Kemp. "It's a little bit of everything. You need your legs to hit. Maybe some of those balls I hit to warning track would have had a little bit more power if I had all my legs."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly removed Kemp from the game after Kemp grounded out to end the third inning. First base coach Davey Lopes noticed Kemp grimacing while running to first and mentioned it to Mattingly, who had assistant trainer Greg Harrel check Kemp in the dugout. Mattingly talked to Kemp as he was heading out to his position in center field.

"I said, 'Matt, if you feel anything at all, don't go out there,' and Matt turned around," Mattingly said. "That gave me the answer right there."

Mattingly didn't want to speak for the training staff, but said he wouldn't be surprised if Kemp missed a day or two. Kemp currently has a streak of 399 consecutive games played, the longest active streak in the majors.

"You can survive without your top guys temporarily, but you just can't do it long term," Mattingly said.

For more news on Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: Dodgers Star Leaves Game In 4th Inning