KANSAS CITY (BaseballStL) – Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp swung for the fences during Monday’s Home Run Derby despite being on the disabled list due to an injured hamstring. The injured star only hit one home run.
Kemp, who was the NL team captain for the contest, has appeared in six rehab games in the Minor League and will rejoin the Dodgers shortly after the All-Star break. He last played on May 30.
"We're not worried about Matt getting hurt at all," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com. "He has been hitting [batting practice] for over a month. We'd know if something was bothering him. From the beginning, the doctor was never worried about him swinging the bat, it's always been about him running."
In 36 games this season, Kemp has a .355 average with 12 home runs and 28 RBIs.
Yankees second baseman and reigning champ Robinson Cano was welcomed to the plate to a chorus of boos as the final hitter in the first round. Cano hit zero home runs as the crowd seemed to cheer louder as the outs piled up.
Cano was the only AL participant not to advance to the second round. This season, he is hitting .313 with 20 home runs and 51 RBIs.
The two captains of the Derby combined for just one home run.
