Three starters and one key reserve are on the disabled list, but can we simply say that Kemp is just a starter?  He’s an absolute masher, the best player in the league that is on his way the the MVP.  Perhaps it evens out because one of the other starters hitting the D.L. is Uribe which may be addition by subtraction.

Uribe kind of reminds me of the time I had to take a disciplinary counseling at work because of my big mouth.  A poor performing employee (let’s call him…Uribe) called in sick and I made the comment that “When Uribe bangs in sick it’s kind of like adding an additional worker on staff and when Uribe comes to work, it’s like having two people call in sick.”  My comments overheard by a bargaining unit member, resulted in, well, the only time I’ve ever been disciplined on the job.  I have to say though, my comments were spot on as the honest truth.

Uribe's swing-from-the-heels approach is getting old (Photo credit mikesciosciastragicillness.com)

It may be a bit harsh to ridicule Uribe as such a poor performer, because Juan more than holds his own on the defensive end, but his flailing at pitches outside the strike zone and his swing-from-the-heals approach is getting old.  Especially since his power has deteriorated to warning track power.  So I’ll say it.  Uribe’s absence may be equal to adding two productive players to the roster.

I really didn’t mean for this piece to turn into a diatribe about Juan Uribe’s weaknesses.  It truly was intended to be a discussion on the greatest challenge that the Dodgers have faced thus far in the young season.  So far, they seem to be up to the challenge.  We are seeing Andre Ethier step up as a clubhouse leader and take control.  As soon as Kemp started to falter (due to his injury), Ethier has heated up (.462 AVG this homestand).  James Loney has begun to hit.  A.J. Ellis is hitting so well that he’s merited a rise in the batting order, more than we ever could imagine from him.

There are fourteen games to go until Kemp returns.  Games against Arizona (4), San Diego (2), St. Louis (3), Houston (3) and Milwaukee (2).  No panic is setting in, nor should it.  This team has played well without Matt Kemp performing up to par.  Now with his complete absence from the lineup, they can prove it to the league.

As I drove in this morning, San Francisco sports radio was agog with the news that Kemp is on the Disabled List, hinting that this is the Giants opportunity to make a move.  Frankly, this may be the Dodgers opportunity to send a true message that they are the favorites in the National League West.  That isn’t a one man team.   That the Dodgers 24-11 best in the Majors record is something to be reckoned with.

Here we are, only a month and a half into the season and the Arizona Diamondbacks are within a whisker of being 10 games behind.  The second place Giants are farther behind than the last place teams in the Central and Eastern Divisions.  That is huge when you take all things into perspective.  This Dodger team has positioned itself into a fantastic spot and provided a cushion of a lead that will ease off a lot of pressure on the club.

Yes, it’s early and there is still 78% of the season to be played, but as the weeks roll on and this ball club maintains its position, we will see the respect grow from across the nation.  These 15 games that Kemp will miss are very winnable.  The majority are home contests and though there are some formidable opponents to face, there truly aren’t any teams to  be concerned with amongst the group.

Jerry Sands, Scott Van Slyke, Elian Herrera, Justin Sellers.  They all get a chance to prove themselves.  These are exciting times to watch the young kids perform on the big stage.  New ownership, first place with a respectable lead, starting pitching that is top notch, young kids showing their stuff to the fan base, (did you see Sellers’ catch in the top of the ninth last night?)  It’s a good time to be a Dodger fan.