Dodgers’ Kemp goes back on DL
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed center fielder Matt Kemp on the 15-day disabled list for the second time in May because of a left hamstring strain.
The move came Thursday after Kemp went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in two games since being reinstated from the DL two days earlier.
Kemp left Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers after scoring from first base on a first-inning double by Andre Ethier. He is batting .355 with 12 homers and 28 RBI in 36 games.
The Dodgers promoted second baseman-outfielder Alex Castellanos from Class AAA Albuquerque. Castellanos, who will be making his major league debut, was hitting .379 with 10 doubles, four triples, five homers and 14 RBI in 22 games with the minor league team.
Orioles injury:
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis has a hamate fracture of his right wrist and will have surgery today in Sarasota, Fla.
The procedure will be performed by Brian Schofield, a hand specialist.
The injury is thought to have occurred more than a week ago when Markakis slid into a base. He aggravated his ailing wrist during his final at-bat Tuesday at the Toronto Blue Jays. The typical recovery time from the surgery is three to four weeks.
It will be the first trip to the disabled list for Markakis, one of Baltimore’s most durable players. He played in at least 160 games in each of the previous three seasons and has never participated in fewer than 147 in a season since arriving in the major leagues in 2006.
Hafner surgery:
Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner had surgery on his right knee and could be out for six weeks.
The 30-minute operation to clean up frayed cartilage was done Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic.
Hafner was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He will need at least a month to recover.
In the final season of a four-year, $57 million contract, he is batting .242 with six home runs and 23 RBI in 39 games. His loss weakens a lineup missing catcher Carlos Santana, who is on the seven-day DL with a concussion.
The Indians have lost five of six and have fallen into second place in the American League Central.
“Hey, we can’t just throw our arms up,” manager Manny Acta said. “We have to move on and get on with it. Somebody needs to step up. More guys in the lineup need to do their thing.”
With Hafner out, the Indians could use outfielders Shelley Duncan and Johnny Damon or third basemen Jose Lopez and Lonnie Chisenhall in the DH role. It’s also possible they could promote Matt LaPorta or Russ Canzler from Class AAA Columbus (Ohio).
“Everybody on the Triple-A roster is an option,” said Acta, who planned to use Thursday’s day off to evaluate the team’s next move.