Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Thinks Matt Kemp Two Weeks Away

The Dodgers offense has seen Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp miss significant portions of the season, but they seem to have not missed a beat.

With four starting outfielders for just three spots, the Dodgers have the luxury of a nice surplus of outfielders. However, getting Kemp back into the lineup would make the offense that much more potent.

While Kemp thinks he’ll be back by the end of the month, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly believes the center fielder is on track for a return soon according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:

Mattingly says he believes Matt Kemp (ankle) is 10-14 days from return. #Dodgers

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 9, 2013

In limited action this season, Kemp is hitting .263 with five home runs and 27 RBIs as he only has himself to blame for the fluke injury in D.C.

While most expect an off-season trade of an outfielder, the Dodgers haven’t had Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier healthy for a single game.

Getting Kemp back would give Mattingly a lot of mixing and matching opportunities to ensure that the outfield stays healthy for the playoff stretch.

Hopefully Kemp can begin running more intensely in the coming days and go out for a rehab sting as the Dodgers can become that much more threatening.

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out the latest on Matt Kemp’s ankle injury.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg0AP5LACzc