June 11 , 2007

LA Looks for Power Switch

Diamond Leung

LOS ANGELES - With the Dodgers' offense having returned to a woeful state, room was made on the roster for power-hitting outfielder Matt Kemp.

Kemp, who was recalled in time for Friday's game, instantly becomes one of the team's top threats to hit home runs. He got the call when infielder Ramon Martinez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

It was an injury to Kemp that cost him his roster spot after making the opening-day roster. He went on the disabled list after banging his shoulder trying to make a catch against the right-field wall April 9. Two weeks later, during his rehabilitation assignment in Class AAA Las Vegas, he was surprised to find out he had been optioned.

"I didn't go down there and mope," said Kemp, who was hitting .329 with four home runs and 20 RBI coming off a 14-game hitting streak for Las Vegas. "Triple-A was basically like practice to get back here."

Kemp was playing center field and right field.

"He'll get his share of playing time," Manager Grady Little said. "It could be all over the outfield. We feel like he can make a difference in some games."

Martinez underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam that revealed no serious damage to his back, which first flared up Monday and got worse Thursday.

"It's a standing eight-count," trainer Stan Conte said. "It doesn't look to be really serious."

Draft Ends Early

The Dodgers concluded the second and final day of the first-year player draft early, stopping after selecting in 39 of 50 rounds because of new rules in baseball's labor agreement that call for players to be signed by Aug. 15.

"Our board was exhausted," said Logan White, the Dodgers' assistant general manager of scouting. "It was a quality draft. We were able to get a lot of pitching. You can never have enough pitching."

The team's most notable second-day pick came in the 22nd round with Cal State Fullerton catcher Matt Wallach, the son of former Dodger Tim Wallach.

Pitcher Greg Miller, a first-round pick in 2002 whose strong spring had put him in line to earn a major league call-up, has been sent down to Class AA Jacksonville. He went 1-1 with a 7.85 ERA with 48 walks in 28 2/3 innings for Las Vegas.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will not attend today's annual Hollywood Stars game after announcing that he and his wife are separating.