Atlanta Braves place Matt Kemp on the 10-day DL…this needed to happen

Braves Kemp placed on DL after last night’s game

Atlanta Braves slugger Matt Kemp had to exit Friday night’s game after hobbling off the field in the top of the 4th inning.  Guess what…it’s his hamstring again.

Kemp drilled a ball off the left field wall and as he was running to second base for a double, it looked like he felt his hamstring pull.  The discomfort in his face could be a bad sign.  Kemp immediately grabbed his right hamstring and walked off the field.

The 32-year-old has been struggling with hamstring issues all year…with both legs.  After this one, he should rest and sit out a few weeks.

Saturday afternoon, the Braves announced that they’ve placed Matt Kemp on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.  This is his second DL stint for his right hamstring this season.  He also missed a few games this season for his left hamstring.

On Friday night, Kemp was 1-for-2 at the plate and he holds a .290 batting average for the 2017 season.  He has 14 home runs, 21 doubles, a triple, 48 RBI’s and 40 runs scored.  Losing that bat will definitely hurt, but something I think will be beneficial to both Kemp and the Braves.

Having an injured Kemp in the lineup isn’t great.  We’ve seen that already this season and it doesn’t help.  He grounds out to shortstop and doesn’t have much power in his bat because his legs aren’t developing any power.

Here’s the video from last night…

Kemp was considered day-to-day, but it made sense for the Braves to go ahead and DL him.  Kemp probably came into the locker room today and it still bothered him.  Just the look at this video, I’d be surprised if he plays anytime soon.

Since the Braves went ahead and DL’d him, it opens up a couple options for the Braves.

First off, let’s say, the corresponding move from Kemp being placed on the DL was calling up Lane Adams.  Good for Adams!

Here are a few more options the Braves could do…

Johan Camargo could move to the outfield.  Though he didn’t play the outfield in the minors, he played LF one time this year.  I think Camargo is a good enough athlete to man this spot.

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If Camargo does move out there, could Ozzie Albies be called up?  Could Dansby Swanson be called back up (when he’s able to)?  Do the Braves play it safe and call up Jace Peterson?

Say Camargo stays in the infield, the Braves could call up Dustin Peterson.  He’s hitting .274 with the Gwinnett Braves in 2017.

Let’s not even go the Ronald Acuna route just yet.  He went on a tear when he was promoted to Triple-A, but has slowed down a little.  He needs more time at this level before the Braves call him up.

Lane Adams could be the guy in left field.  I hope the Braves at least give him a few starts.

Danny Santana, who replaced him on Friday night, could get a few starts in left field.

Micah Johnson possibly could get a few starts.

Next: 2017 trade rumors are heating up

It’s going to be interesting to see what happens to the Braves left field spot here in the next few weeks.  The things we do know, Matt Kemp won’t be dealt at the trade deadline now and Kemp will be missing at least 10 days, if not longer.