Matt Kemp injury: Dodgers star begins rehab program in Arizona

The star center fielder of the Los Angeles Dodgers began a rehab program in Arizona on Wednesday after left shoulder surgery just two days after the completion of the regular season. Kemp expects to be ready to play by spring training.

Matt Kemp has surgery to repair labrum tear in left shoulder, expected back by opening day

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp had successful shoulder surgery Friday and should be ready to go for Opening Day.

Matt Kemp to have surgery on left shoulder Friday

The Dodgers' All-Star center fielder could be out as much as four months if repair is needed during the procedure.

Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw Return To Starting Lineup For Dodgers Vs. Diamondbacks

The Los Angeles Dodgers added the two best possible players they could have to their lineup on Tuesday night as they begin a two-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix. Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw return after brief setbacks.

Both Kemp and Kershaw received a cortisone shot and missed games in San Francisco over the weekend. Kemp missed two games with left shoulder inflammation, and an MRI showed a frayed labrum, which isn't the best news one likes to hear for the team's best hitter. Kershaw had left hip inflammation and was scratched from his Sunday start against the Giants.

Both are back for the series opener in Phoenix. Kemp bats cleanup for the Dodgers, with Kershaw on the mound against Ian Kennedy. Here are the starting lineups from Chase Field:

Dodgers (74-67)

Ellis 2B
Victorino LF
Gonzalez 1B
Kemp CF
Ramirez SS
Ethier RF
Cruz 3B
Ellis C
Kershaw P

Diamondbacks (69-72)

Eaton CF
Hill 2B
Kubel LF
Goldschmidt 1B
Upton RF
Montero C
Johnson 3B
McDonald SS
Kennedy P

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Matt Kemp Injury: Dodgers CF Plans Tuesday Lineup Return

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp is hopeful that he can return to the Dodgers' lineup on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez.

"I pray to God I'll be back," Kemp said.

Kemp had a contrast MRI on his shoulder on Saturday and dye injected into it. At least a couple of days would be needed to recover from that. With the Dodger off on Monday, Kemp has more time for a return. Kemp just wants to give the treatment he's received -- which included a cortisone injection to treat the inflammation in his shoulder - time to work.

Kemp hurt his knee running into the wall on Aug. 28. His injury-plagued season has limited him to only 85 of 141 games.

Stick with this StoryStream for more coverage from the Dodgers vs. Giants series. For all things Dodgers, check out True Blue LA. For the Giants perspective, head over to McCovey Chronicles.

Matt Kemp Injury Update: Dodgers OF To Have MRI On Shoulder

After Matt Kemp was kept out of Saturday's lineup against the Giants, it now appears that he will miss the rest of the crucial NL West series as he is scheduled to have an MRI on his shoulder.

Dylan Hernandez, the Dodgers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times, tweeted out the news shortly after Saturday's lineups were posted without Kemp being included.

Matt Kemp will miss the remainder of the #SFGiants series. Undergoing contrast MRI on shoulder today.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) September 8, 2012

Kemp crashed hard into the center-field fence in a Aug. 28 game against the Colorado Rockies and left the game one batter later.

The Dodgers fell to their rivals, 5-2, on Friday in the series opener and are currently 5.5 games behind the Giants.

Saturday's game gets underway at 1:05 p.m. from AT&T Park and will be televised on FOX.

Stick with this StoryStream for more coverage from the Dodgers vs. Giants series. For all things Dodgers, check out True Blue LA. For the Giants perspective, head over to McCovey Chronicles.

Dodgers Vs. Giants Starting Lineups: Matt Kemp Out On Saturday

The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to get back on track against the Giants on Saturday afternoon. The club dropped their series opener with the NL West foes on Friday night by a score of 5-2, and now they'll give the ball to Chris Capuano to right the ship. Capuano has struggled in recent starts though, going 0-2 with a 8.44 ERA in his last three games.

Matt Cain will make the start for the Giants. Cain, who is 13-5 with a 2.98 ERA this season, is 1-0 with a 3.76 ERA in his last three games, a span of 19.2 innings.

Here are the lineups for Saturday's game. Matt Kemp is not playing. First pitch from AT&T Park is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and will be televised on FOX.

Giants:

Angel Pagan - CF
Marco Scutaro - 2B
Pablo Sandoval - 3B
Buster Posey - C
Hunter Pence - RF
Joaquin Arias - SS
Brandon Belt - 1B
Gregor Blanco - LF
Matt Cain - P

Dodgers:

Mark Ellis - 2B
Shane Victorino - CF
Adrian Gonzalez - 1B
Hanley Ramirez - SS
Andre Ethier - RF
Luis Cruz - 3B
Juan Rivera - LF
A.J. Ellis - C
Chris Capuano - P

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

Dodgers Vs. Rockies Starting Lineup: Matt Kemp Sits, Shane Victorino Starts In CF

As the Los Angeles Dodgers look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon, they will have to do so without the help of MVP Matt Kemp as he will sit out the game due to a knee contusion.

Kemp suffered the injury running into the wall early on in Tuesday's game as he was trying to make a catch. Manager Don Mattingly said that he expects Kemp to miss at least this game, but there has been no timetable placed on his return yet.

Shane Victorino will take Kemp's spot in the lineup, playing center field and batting second. Hanley Ramirez will take over clean-up duties.

Your Los Angeles Dodgers:

1. Mark Ellis 2B
2. Shane Victorino CF
3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Hanley Ramirez SS
5. Luis Cruz 3B
6. Andre Ethier RF
7. Juan Rivera LF
8. A.J. Ellis C
9. Joe Blanton SP

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Los Angeles Dodgers, make sure to check out True Blue LA. For more on the league in general, please check out Baseball Nation.

Matt Kemp Injury: Kemp Expected To Miss At Least One Game

Los Angeles Dodges outfielder Matt Kemp is expected to miss at least one game after he left Tuesday's game in the first inning following a collision with the center field wall.

Mattingly said he expects Kemp to be out for at least tomorrow's game.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) August 29, 2012

Kemp suffered a right knee contusion and a jaw injury, but he did not have concussion-like symptoms. He is expected to undergo an MRI on his knee and a CAT scan on his jaw Monday night. Those tests will determine how severe the injuries are and whether or not Kemp will miss significant time.

Neither injury appeared to be significant and while Kemp may be out Wednesday, he will likely be considered day-to-day and could be back in the lineup before the weekend.

To stay updated with the latest news on Kemp's injury, stick with this StoryStream. For news, analysis, and opinion on the Dodgers, head to True Blue L.A. For all things Major League Baseball, make a visit to SB Nation's Baseball Nation.

Matt Kemp Injury: Right Knee Contusion, But No Concussion For Dodgers CF

The Los Angeles Dodgers received a scare on Tuesday night as Matt Kemp left the game in the first inning. Kemp remained down for a while after lunging forward to catch a bloop in right-center field, prompting manager Don Mattingly and team trainers to come out and check on him.

There were concerns that Kemp had suffered a concussion on the play, although a series of tests have determined the All-Star outfielder did not suffer such a thing. Instead, Kemp has a right knee contusion.

Matt Kemp left today's game with a right knee contusion. Taken for precautionary x-rays on his jaw. No concussion-like symptoms.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2012

No timetable has been set for Kemp's return, although he is not expected to miss much time at all. He may be sore and need to sit out a day or two, but a trip to the disabled list is not expected as of late Tuesday evening.

L.A. currently trails the Rockies by a score of 8-4 in the ninth inning.

For more on Kemp's injury and the Dodgers, check out True Blue L.A. and stay tuned to SB Nation Los Angeles.

Matt Kemp Injury: Dodgers CF Leaves Game After Crashing Into Wall

Los Angeles Dodgers CF Matt Kemp was injured after crashing into the wall in the first inning of Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. He sustained the injury chasing after a triple by the Rockies' Josh Rutledge. Kemp was removed from the game two batters later.

Juan Rivera entered the game in left field for Kemp as Shane Victorino moved over to center field.

If Kemp is lost for an extended period of time, it would be a big blow to the Dodgers' lineup. Kemp is batting .337 with 17 home runs and 54 RBI in 78 games this season. He has already spent time on the disabled list in 2012.

To stay updated with the latest news on Kemp's injury, stick with this StoryStream. For news, analysis, and opinion on the Dodgers, head to True Blue LA. For all things Major League Baseball, make a visit to SB Nation's Baseball Nation.