Dodgers reinstate Matt Kemp; option Mike Baxter to Triple-A Albuquerque

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers today reinstated outfielder Matt Kemp from the disabled list (left ankle surgery) and optioned outfielder Mike Baxter to Triple-A Albuquerque. Kemp returns to Major League action for the first time since Sept. 27 of last season, when he hit .270 with six homers and 33 RBI in 73 games. In the course of his career, the two-time All-Star ranks among the Los Angeles franchise leaders in several categories, ranking sixth in batting average (.293, min. 3,000 PA), fifth in slugging percentage (.493) and eighth in home runs (157). In 2011, Kemp finished second in the NL MVP voting and fell one home run shy of becoming the fifth 40/40 player in baseball history.

Baxter, 29, appeared in four of the Dodgers' five games this season.