Mattingly optimistic Kemp will return this season

LOS ANGELES -– Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Tuesday he believes outfielder Matt Kemp will return to the lineup this season, despite a balky right hamstring that has slowed his comeback from a sprained ankle.
 
Kemp is rehabbing at the Dodgers' minor league facility in Glendale, Ariz., and took 10 swings in a simulated game on Tuesday. Mattingly said Kemp had six hits, four for home runs.
 
"Everybody's pretty positive that he's on a good track as far as what he's been able to do, and the little testing they do without the actual trying to run has been positive," Mattingly said.
 
There's no timetable for Kemp to begin running, primarily because the Dodgers don't want to rush him at the risk of aggravating his hamstring.
 
"The running part's kind of been slowed down, but the hitting part has been continuing on," Mattingly said. "It sounds like that went good today."
 
Kemp hasn't played since July 21 and has just 37 at-bats since May 29 because of hamstring and ankle injuries, but Mattingly said he still thinks Kemp can make it back before the end of the season.
 
"I'm starting to feel that way," he said.