Matt Kemp activated from disabled list, returns to Dodgers lineup

The Dodgers activated center fielder Matt Kemp from the disabled list on Tuesday before their game against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. Kemp returns to the starting lineup, batting fifth and playing center field, after missing 24 games with a strained right hamstring.

With Kemp back in center field, Andre Ethier moves back to right field, and Yasiel Puig will start in left field, the first time he has played the position in the majors. In Kemp's absence Ethier started 18 games in center field and Skip Schumaker started six games. Puig played two innings of one game in center field, but logged the rest of his time in right field.

Kemp and Scott Van Slyke played in three minor league rehab games with Triple-A Albuquerque from Saturday to Monday, and both returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday for further evaluation.

The earliest Van Slyke can be activated from the disabled list is Wednesday, though he instead will continue his rehab assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Kemp is hitting just .251/.305/.335 with two home runs in 51 games this season, and was 2-for-11 with a pair of doubles and six strikeouts in three games with the Isotopes. Manager Don Mattingly on Monday talked about Kemp needing to get his timing back and hinted at possible further minor league games, but apparently minds were changed on Tuesday.

To make room for Kemp on the roster, the Dodgers optioned Elian Herrera to Triple-A Albuquerque. In his second stint with the big club this season Herrera was 1-for-4 in two games, including a start in left field on Friday in San Diego.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: KCAL, MLB Network

MLB Gameday