Below is Dylan Hernandez’s article in the Los Angeles Times about Matt Kemp’s latest shoulder injury. I’ll interject with what I perceive to be the “between the lines” truth. Note this is my uninformed opinion based on experience of following the Dodgers for years, nothing more than that.

Hernandez: “PHOENIX – Matt Kemp underwent a MRI exam on his left shoulder Tuesday that confirmed the medical staff’s original diagnosis of irritation in his AC joint, according to Manager Don Mattingly.”

Between the Lines: “PHOENIX – Matt Kemp finally underwent an overdue MRI exam on his left shoulder Tuesday that should have taken place on Friday when he injured it, that confirmed the medical staff’s original diagnosis of irritation in his AC joint, according to Manager Don Mattingly.”

Hernandez: “Kemp received an injection of platelet-rich plasma and is expected to be ready to be activated on July 21, the day he is eligible to return from the disabled list.”

Between the lines: “Kemp received an injection of platelet-rich plasma which the Dodgers believe to be a super-healing cure all for all ills and they are hoping to God that it miraculously works so he’ll be activated on July 21, the day he is eligible to return from the disabled list, after an inevitable 3-day stint to the minor leagues where he’ll try to get his timing back for the umpteenth time this season.” 

Hernandez: “Kemp underwent the MRI exam in Los Angeles, where he was seen by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The medical staff remains convinced that Kemp’s latest injury is unrelated to the labrum surgery he underwent in the off-season.”

Between the lines: “Kemp underwent the MRI exam in Los Angeles, where he was seen by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The surgeon that performed his unsuccessful labrum surgery back in October. The medical staff is trying to convince the rest of the world that Kemp’s latest injury is unrelated to that off-season labrum surgery. For the most part they are being successful in convincing the press corps because nobody seems to be questioning them, even though it seems very suspicious that a player that never experienced injury before last season is having problems with the same shoulder that was operated on the year before.

Hernandez: “Kemp’s issues with his AC joint predated his head-on collision with the outfield wall in Colorado last year that led to his operation.”

“Kemp’s issues with his AC joint predated his head-on collision with the outfield wall in Colorado last year that led to his operation.” – Ya, right.
(Photo credit – Barry Gutierrez)

Between the lines: “It is said that Kemp’s issues with his AC joint predated his head-on collision with the outfield wall in Colorado last year that led to his operation, though nobody had the foresight to check out this problem before or correct it in the off-season when the shoulder was operated on.

Hernandez: “He had a similar discomfort in his AC joint in April. He received a cortisone injection and was ready to play two days later.”

Between the lines: “He had a similar discomfort in his AC joint in April. The Dodgers didn’t disclose this injury publicly and claimed that Kemp was healthy and on a straight course in his recovery. He received a cortisone injection in April and was ready to play two days later, also hiding this information from the public”

Hernandez: “The Dodgers aren’t concerned that Kemp’s AC joint will be a long-term problem.”

Between the lines: “The Dodgers are very concerned that Kemp’s AC joint will be a long term problem.

Hernandez: “Even if surgery is required, the procedure would be minor. Javy Guerra underwent surgery last winter to clean up his AC joint and was ready to pitch in spring training.”

Between the lines: “When he finally has surgery, the procedure will be major, Dr. Neal ElAttrache will announce that the damage was more extreme than expected and his recovery process will be long. Javy Guerra underwent surgery last winter to clean up his AC joint and he has been an ineffective pitcher since the surgery.”