Justin Turner returns to Dodgers lineup vs. Padres

Justin Turner is back in the starting lineup for the Dodgers for Friday's series opener against the Padres, after missing two games with a left knee contusion.

Turner injured the knee on Monday against the Diamondbacks, first fouling a ball off his knee cap then aggravating the knee while diving for a single past him at third base into left field. Turner, hitting .310/.382/.496 this season, left Monday's game in the fourth inning.

A combination of ice and rest, plus Thursday's off day, gave Turner's knee a chance to heal, much like second baseman Howie Kendrick, who missed three games the week before after jamming his left knee sliding into third base in Colorado.

Kendrick is 6-for-14 (.429) since then, with a home run and five RBI, including a walk-off single to finish off a sweep of Arizona on Wednesday night.

Kendrick bats fourth and Turner fifth on Friday night against the Padres.

A.J. Ellis is behind the plate for the Dodgers on Friday, catching Clayton Kershaw for the fifth straight time and the 10th time in 13 starts this season.

Wil Myers gets the call at first base and is leading off for San Diego in his second game back. He was activated off the disabled list on Thursday after missing 28 games with left wrist tendinitis.