DODGERS MATT KEMP CLEARS ANOTHER HURDLE

Matt Kemp got good news today when results of his recent MRI on his left ankle prompted the Dodgers medical staff to clear him for increased activities.

Here is what Kemp had to say about the latest development this morning from the Dodgers spring training facility in Glendale, Arizona:

“I’m getting close to where I need to be. I’ll continue to hit and do all those things to be ready. When it’s time I’ll be ready to run and I’ll already be in game mode, hitting-wise.

“I’m just glad that I’m not having any setbacks or the MRI isn’t showing any negative things. It’s showing signs of improvement and where the doctor did the microfracture is healing really well. Everything is going as planned. You’ve got to take your time and make sure everything is okay, so when I do come back I won’t have any more setbacks.

(Kemp is at step 5 of what is expected to be a 7-step process)

“Coming into it we said there would be seven phases of where I need to be. … I’ve got two more phases and then I’ll be able to get out there and play with my team again, so I’m excited about that.

(what are final 2 steps?)

“You’re guess is better than mine. Honestly it’s a feeling thing. Not anybody can tell me how I feel but I can tell them how I feel. I have to be right with myself and make sure I’m able to do a first-to-third or be able to score on a base hit from second base. I don’t wan’t to have any negative thoughts in my head. I want to be able to go out there and play aggressive and steal bases when I can, and do some of those athletic things that everybody is used to me doing.

(Considering the good news is it tough to be patient?)

“You don’t want to get ahead of yourself. Sometimes you get too happy and you want to try to do more. I just want to have faith in the program, and do everything they ask me to do and not anything extra. Of course I would love to work out extra and run extra, but that’s not in the plans. Every day I come in the morning they have a plan for me, and whatever it is they want me to do I’ll do it. I just have to be patient. I’ve got to be able to have faith in my leg.”

(On being able to jog on Friday)

“I never thought running would be so fun. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do running without being 80% body weight. Today was pretty good.

“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. God puts me in position where I’m at for a reason. I’m happy where I’m at. I know this year is going to be a good year, I can feel it. I see good things for the Dodgers, and I hope and pray there is a healthy Matt out there in 2014.