The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a brilliant season (especially over the last few months of it), and due to a series of injuries, have done so without star center fielder Matt Kemp. While the team was hoping to add his bat back into the lineup for the playoffs, it is starting to look like they will have to try to continue their hot run without the added depth, and the threat that Kemp’s bat would provide.
Kemp who had been rehabbing with the Dodgers Single-A affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga in an attempt to recover from a sprained ankle he suffered on July 21st has been shut down indefinitely due to tightness in his right hamstring. The tightness in his hamstring is a recurrence of an injury that cost Kemp time between the end of May and June 24th. Kemp has also missed time this year with a July stint on the disabled list due to a shoulder injury.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was quoted by Dodger Talk host David Vassegh as saying, “I’m not ready to concede anything, but at some point we run out of time.”
The 28-year old Kemp has been limited to just 62 games and 228 At bats this season. He has hit .263/.319/.382 this season, five home runs and 27 RBIs this year. Kemp was an MVP candidate in the 2011 season when he hit, .324/.399/.586 with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs.
Kemp has six years and $128 million remaining on the eight-year, $160 million contract extension he signed following his big 2011 season.
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