Matt Kemp: LA Dodgers Star Exits Game in 1st Inning After Aggravating Injury

In only his second game back with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Kemp was removed from the game after the first inning and replaced by Tony Gwynn.

Kemp reached base on a walk and scored from first on an Andre Ethier double. While he rounded third base, Kemp appeared to injure himself and aggravate the hamstring issue that has plagued him since the beginning of May.

This is now Kemp's third injury to his hamstring this season; it seems to not be healing for him. This might send him to the DL again, although it is not known yet to this point. The Dodgers certainly do not want him to play any games with the injury, as he endured a relatively prolonged slump before being sidelined, and another DL stint might be the only way to deal with it.

While Kemp was in the dugout, he broke a bat over his knee and then headed to the clubhouse. Kemp is undoubtedly frustrated that this injury will not go away.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Kemp is fearing the worst,

"

Kemp expects to go on DL. Says hamstring feels worse than it did last time.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 31, 2012"

The star outfielder looked like he was ready to return to action after blasting a home run in each of his two rehab games before joining the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Having sat out the past two weeks, Kemp entered Wednesday's game with a .355 average, 12 home runs and 28 RBI.

Follow @NargOnSports