Matt Kemp is removed from game with ‘numbing sensation’ in right hand.

Matt Kemp left the Dodgers’ 3-0 win over the Angels on Tuesday when he experienced a numbing sensation in his right hand.

Kemp was hit just below his right elbow in the second inning by Angels pitcher Joe Blanton, a former teammate.

“Just a little ball that took off inside,” Kemp said. “Joe wasn’t trying to do it on purpose.”

Although he remained in the game in center field, Kemp said the pain worsened as the game progressed.

“It got me really good,” Kemp said. “It’s where it got me — it’s not like it hit me real hard. It got me in the nerve by my elbow. It had a numbing sensation the rest of the game.

“Right now it’s a little sore. Tomorrow, we’ll see how it feels.”

If he can play Wednesday, Kemp might serve as the designated hitter. The Dodgers will visit an American League park for the second time this season when the interleague series shifts to Angel Stadium.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Kemp told him in the seventh inning that he couldn’t throw a baseball.

Said Kemp, “It was like ‘please don’t hit me the ball.’ ”

Kemp doubled in the sixth inning to end a streak of 13 at-bats without a hit and scored the Dodgers’ third run on an RBI single by A.J. Ellis. He was dropped to fifth in the batting order for the first time this season.

Daily Distractions: A game that broke the mold.

Nick Punto

Nick Punto went flying in this collision with Angels runner Erick Aybar last night. It was a wacky game. (Associated Press photo)

The Dodgers’ 7-6 win last night broke the mold in many ways. Lost amid the doubles, the Matt Kemp boos and the blown call at first base, here are some factoids that I couldn’t fit in my game story:

– The Dodgers’ comeback matched their largest of the season; they beat the Diamondbacks on May 22 after trailing by five.

– Previously, the Dodgers were 0-15 when allowing six runs or more.

– The ninth inning remains a virtual all-or-nothing proposition. Say what you want about Brandon League as closer, but the Dodgers are 20-1 when leading at the start of the ninth inning. They are 0-23 when trailing to start the ninth.

Adrian Gonzalez‘s six errors lead all major-league first baseman. Next is the New York Mets’ Ike Davis, with four. Gonzalez, who has won three Gold Glove awards, had a busy day. He also failed to pick a ball out of the dirt and pulled his foot off the bag on a throw from catcher Ramon Hernandez in the first inning. Yet he kept his foot on the bag despite a poor throw from Luis Cruz in the ninth inning, completing a double play.

– The Dodgers’ six doubles were a season high.

More bullet points for a Tuesday morning:

Continue reading “Daily Distractions: A game that broke the mold.” »

What should the Dodgers do with Matt Kemp?

Matt KempDodgers manager Don Mattingly was asked after Matt Kemp‘s 0-for-5, four-strikeout performance Monday whether he’ll considered moving Kemp further down in the lineup.

“Tonight it was lefty [pitcher C.J. Wilson], and he’s hit lefties good,” Mattingly said. “Honestly, we’re going to need Matt. I’ve seen that lesson over the years. I just don’t give up on guys. I’m not going to give up on Matt, and Matt’s going to get going. Obviously I will at certain times hit him at different spots, trying to take maybe a little pressure off him, things like that. That’s another day.”

Kemp was booed roundly by the announced crowd of 49,953 at Dodger Stadium after striking out to end the eighth inning. Tomorrow the Dodgers will face a right-hander, Joe Blanton, who owns Kemp. In 18 head-to-head at-bats, Kemp has two singles, a double and four strikeouts — a .167 career average.

Since his 14-game hitting streak ended on May 15, Kemp is batting .125 (5 for 40) with 19 strikeouts.

Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett shuts down his throwing program.

Josh Beckett

Josh Beckett’s rehab from a strained groin has been set back by “tingling and numbness” in his right hand. (John McCoy/Staff Photographer)

Josh Beckett was scheduled to throw at least 15 pitches off a mound today or tomorrow, but the recuperating right-hander is back to waiting after a recurrence of tingling and numbness in his right fingers.

Beckett will undergo an MRI exam tomorrow to determine the source of his symptoms.

The Dodgers did not initially reveal the extent of Beckett’s injuries after the right-hander fell to 0-5 with a loss to the Washington Nationals on May 13. The next day, he went on the disabled list with a strained left groin, though manager Don Mattingly noted that Beckett was dealing with other injuries.

On Monday, Mattingly said “the groin’s been good and the arm has gone bad.”

In eight starts this year spanning 43 ⅓ innings, Beckett is 0-5 with a 5.19 earned-run average. Opponents have a .336 batting average on balls in play against him.

“Josh, he’s thrown a lot of innings,” Mattingly said. “There’s always a little something.”

Hanley Ramirez runs bases, could return to Dodgers next week.

Hanley RamirezHanley Ramirez ran the bases at Dodger Stadium for the first time since straining his left hamstring on May 3 and is close to going out on a rehabilitation assignment.

“As we get through Anaheim, we’re talking about him playing some games the next few days,” Mattingly said.

Ramirez wrote on his Instagram account last week that he would be “coming soon” to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

The rehab process has been a frustrating one for Ramirez, who was only able to play four games after recovering enough from a torn ligament in his right thumb before suffering the hamstring injury.

Ramirez said last week that he will announce his assignment in some capacity on Twitter. Assuming he plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it’s conceivable that Ramirez could be in a Dodger uniform next week when the team play a 10-game home stand against San Diego, Atlanta and Arizona.

Nick Punto is starting at shortstop Monday against the Angels following the demotion of Dee Gordon to Triple-A Albuquerque. Punto and Luis Cruz figure to get the lion’s share of the innings at shortstop until Ramirez returns.