Dodgers activate Carl Crawford for series vs. Giants

SAN FRANCISCO -- Carl Crawford was reinstated from the disabled list Friday for the start of the Dodgers’ three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.

Crawford was sidelined for more than a month with a strained left hamstring. He completed a four-game rehabilitation assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday and took early batting practice in San Francisco on Friday.

To clear a roster spot for Crawford, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Scott Van Slyke to triple-A Albuquerque.

Before his injury, Crawford batted .301 with five home runs, 13 runs batted in and nine steals in 51 games.

Crawford’s return gives the Dodgers four high-caliber outfielders: Crawford, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.

Manager Don Mattingly has said Puig will play every day, provided he is healthy and doesn’t fall into a slump. That leaves Crawford, Kemp and Ethier sharing playing time in two positions.

Kemp acknowledged that he didn’t like the idea of not playing every day.

“I want to play every day,” Kemp said. “That’s what I’m used to doing. You can’t get in a rhythm sitting down. I understand the situation, but I would love to keep on playing, like I have been in the past.”