Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Updates Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp

Injuries plagued the Dodgers for the early part of the season and when Matt Kemp was scratched last night, everyone held their breath.

However, Kemp wasn’t in the lineup last night for precautionary reasons as his previously injured ankle was irritated since he started six consecutive games. Prior to today’s game, Don Mattingly talked to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times about Kemp’s status:

Mattingly: #Dodgers medical staff not concerned about Kemp’s availability for Game 1.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) September 29, 2013

It’s obviously good news as the Dodgers will have three days before Game 1 of the NLDS, so Kemp should be in the lineup on Thursday. Since he’s been back, Kemp is hitting .333 with one home runs, three doubles and six RBIs as he looks to be fully recovered from the injuries that hampered his 2013 season.

Meanwhile, Andre Ethier is still trying to get back on the field as he’s dealing with a severely sprained ankle that’s sidelined him since September 13. Ethier has been in Arizona hitting in simulated games after he had to shut down running the bases during the series in San Francisco.

Mattingly mentioned that Ethier could still make the NLDS roster, even if it’s only as a pinch-hitter:

Mattingly says it is possible #Dodgers could keep Ethier on NLDS roster as pinch-hitter only.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) September 29, 2013

It remains to be seen if Ethier will attempt to run the bases as that’s the last test he’d need to pass before making it back into the lineup. While everyone wants to talk about what the Dodgers might do with four outfielders, they haven’t played a single game when they’ve all been healthy.

Hopefully Ethier shows enough where he’s on the NLDS roster while it’s sounding likely that Kemp will be in the lineup when the playoffs start on Thursday.

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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!

http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME