Braves left fielder Matt Kemp said he plans to return from injury Wednesday, the first day he’s eligible to be activated from the 10-day disabled list. He said he doesn’t need a rehabilitation stint in the minor leagues for his right hamstring injury.
“No, I’m ready,” Kemp said Friday. “I will be ready. Mentally, I am staying focused in the cage and doing what I need to do, what I need to help my team win as many games as we can.”
The Braves placed Kemp on the disabled list retroactive to April 8, two days after he left a game in Pittsburgh early because of what the team said was hamstring tightness. Kemp said he felt “pretty good” while running the bases before the home opener Friday.
Kemp, 32, has played in 16 minor-league games on rehabilitation assignments since becoming a full-time major leaguer in 2008. He played eight games in the Dodgers’ farm system following DL stints in 2012 and 2013.
“If I felt like I needed to get some at-bats down there, I would,” Kemp said. “But I’ve been doing this for a while, so I know when I’m ready and when I’m not.”
At the time of his injury Kemp was 8-for-16 with six extra-base hits, including two homers and four doubles. Through eight games Kemp led the Braves in slugging percentage (1.125) and was tied for the team lead with four RBIs.
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