Ian Kennedy Injury: Updates on Padres SP's Hamstring and Return

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy left the team's game against the San Francisco Giants on April 9 with a left hamstring strain. After a trip to the disabled list, he is set to return for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Continue for updates. 

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Kennedy Officially Reinstated vs. Dodgers

Saturday, April 25

Dennis Lin of U-T San Diego confirmed that the Padres officially reinstated Kennedy, who will start against the Dodgers. In a corresponding move, San Diego optioned Frank Garces to El Paso.

Padres manager Bud Black announced on April 23 that Kennedy would start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, per the team's official Twitter account.   

Lin reported on April 21 that Kennedy's return to the Padres rotation was expected to come Saturday after he threw six innings in an extended spring start Monday:

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His next start could come against the Dodgers at Petco Park on Saturday, the first day he's eligible to come off the disabled list.

The right-hander appears to be over the hamstring strain that landed him on the DL on April 10.

"Today, it actually feels good to feel a little sore, like, in the arm area," Kennedy said with a smile. "Feels like I actually did something. I was happy. Especially as (Monday's) game went on, I felt good."

Kennedy said he threw all his pitches Monday. He was pleased with how his delivery felt and how he moved off the mound.

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Kennedy Placed on DL

Friday, April 10

The Padres announced on April 10 that Kennedy was heading to the disabled list. On April 9, the team’s official Twitter account noted that Kennedy exited the game with the hamstring concern.

U-T San Diego provided comments from Black, who said Kennedy made progress overnight, and that he thought the injury was a "short-termer."

Kennedy was an important part of the Padres rotation in 2014 and figures to be once again this season. He finished last year with a 13-13 record, 3.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and an impressive 207 strikeouts in 201 innings.

San Diego made a number of important offseason moves to bolster both the offense and pitching and expects to contend in the National League West, but it needs Kennedy to once again eat up innings at the back end of the rotation.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today pointed out that Kennedy is the workhorse, while Dave Brown of CBSSports.com noted that lingering hamstring concerns are frustrating, especially for pitchers who are typically concerned with arms and shoulders:

Among James Shields, Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, there have been enough candidates to at least keep the team afloat during Kennedy's absence.

San Diego will need its workhorse healthy enough to do the heavy lifting for the long season. An April injury was certainly less than ideal, though he is back and seemingly back to full health.