Dodgers may get Kemp back on Monday

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers could get reinforcement in the outfield Monday with the possible return of Matt Kemp.

Kemp, who has been on the disabled list since July 21 with a sprained left ankle and also dealt with a tight right hamstring during his ongoing rehab process, will be tested by club officials during workouts before the Dodgers' series opener in Arizona.

"I've been told that depending where he's at, it could be tomorrow," manager Don Mattingly said on Sunday of Kemp's return. "We want him to be healthy. It's a possibility if everything would go perfect."

Yasiel Puig was not available to play the field Sunday because of tightness in his left hip, but the rookie felt well enough to pinch-hit in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Giants.

Puig grounded into a forceout to shortstop with the bases loaded to end the game and said he expects to play during a four-game series in Arizona that begins Monday.

"It shouldn't take very long before I'm back in the lineup," Puig said through a translator.

Puig came out of Saturday's 19-3 loss after five innings. He was shaken up after a diving catch in center field, but he remained in the game and ran hard on the bases before Mattingly took him out.

Puig and Kemp aren't the only Dodgers banged up heading into the club's 10-game road trip.

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez has not played since Thursday. He had two cortisone shots in his lower back Friday to treat a nerve that was causing tingling in his left hamstring.

"Hanley is feeling great today," Mattingly said Sunday. "He's kind of pushing to get back in there soon. I want Hanley to play right away, honestly. As soon as he can play I want him to play."

Outfielder Andre Ethier has not played since he irritated his left ankle running the bases Friday. He walked out of the clubhouse with a protective boot over his left foot following Saturday's game. Mattingly said Ethier was feeling better Sunday, but the outfielder has not done any running to test his ankle.

Outfielder Carl Crawford in considered day to day with tightness in his back.

"We've dealt with it here and there, usually it's been a day or two days with that," Mattingly said.

Despite a list of nagging injuries to some of his best players, Mattingly did not seem too concerned Sunday.

"I'm pretty confident that these guys are getting healthy and we'll be able to get everybody back in there," he said.