Dodgers’ Howie Kendrick strains hamstring in loss to Pirates

Howie Kendrick may have hustled himself into a stay on the disabled list Sunday, straining his left hamstring while beating out an infield single in the Dodgers’ 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kendrick made two lengthy trips to the DL in 2008 because of strains to the same hamstring. He’s expected to undergo an MRI exam in Los Angeles on Monday.

“It’s about the same area,” he said. “It’s very similar. So don’t expect to see me playing tomorrow. When I get it healthy this time, you’ve got to play a little more cautiously.”

The fifth-inning hit was Kendrick’s second of the game, giving him five consecutive multihit games and raising his average to .296. But Manager Don Mattingly said Kendrick’s value goes beyond the numbers.

“He leaves a big void,” he said. “For me, Howie is just a bread-and-butter leader. A big part of us.”

Enrique Hernandez will replace Kendrick in the short term but Mattingly said the Dodgers will also explore other possibilities, including the promotion of Jose Peraza from triple-A Oklahoma City, where he is hitting .385 since being obtained in a trade with Atlanta last month.

“We’ll talk about different options,” he said.

Steal curtain

The Dodgers began the series in Pittsburgh last in the majors in stolen bases (22) and attempts (46). But they stole six bases in the three games against the Pirates.

Andre Ethier, Kendrick, Carl Crawford and Joc Pederson each stole a base against catcher Francisco Cervelli on Sunday, with three of those coming in the Dodgers’ first four at-bats, giving them more steals in the first four innings then they had in June.

With Jimmy Rollins and Crawford each stealing against catcher Chris Stewart on Friday, the Dodgers had more steals in the series (six) than in May (five).

Justin Turner is not ready

Mattingly said it’s unlikely that Justin Turner will come off the disabled list Tuesday.

The Dodgers’ leading hitter with a .323 average, Turner has been sidelined since July 27 because of a thigh infection. He has been throwing and taking batting practice at the team’s minor league complex in Arizona, but hasn’t done any running, which is a problem for a player with a history of hamstring troubles.

Turner isn’t likely to need a minor league rehab assignment, the team said.

Relief help

Mike Bolsinger and Chris Hatcher could soon join the Dodgers’ beleaguered bullpen.

Bolsinger, who was 5-3 with a 2.83 earned-run average in 16 big league starts, made his first relief appearance of the year for Oklahoma City on Sunday, retiring all 11 batters he faced in 32/3 innings.

The Dodgers want to see how Bolsinger, who began his pro career as a reliever, adapts to a return to the bullpen before considering a call-up.

Mattingly said Hatcher, who followed Bolsinger to the mound Sunday and got the final out, is likely to be recalled before rosters expand Sept. 1.

Hatcher made 27 relief appearances for the Dodgers this season, posting a 6.38 ERA before straining a muscle in his side in June.

He is eligible to be reinstated Friday from the 60-day DL.