Kemp, Ethier reinstated as Herrera and Van Slyke are sent down

Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier came off the disabled list and rejoined the Dodgers for Friday night’s game at Dodger Stadium, with both outfielders in the starting lineup against the San Diego Padres.

To make room for the team’s two best hitters, the Dodgers optioned utilityman Elian Herrera and outfielder Scott Van Slyke to triple-A Albuquerque.

After recovering from a strained left hamstring, Kemp was back in the lineup for the first time since May 31.

The centerfielder, who had a torrid start this year before the injury, had missed 51 of the team’s 87 games this season entering Friday’s play but still led the club in home runs with 12.

Ethier, with 10 home runs and 55 runs batted in, missed 11 games with a strained left rib-cage muscle.

Herrera, who made his big-league debut May 15 after spending several years in the minor leagues, initially was a pleasant surprise for the Dodgres, and his fielding versatility was an asset as Kemp, Ethier and others went on the disabled list.

But Herrera had struggled at the plate in the last few weeks; the switch-hitter’s batting average dropped to .243 from .305 on June 17.

RELATED:

Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw pitches Cole Hamels on L.A.

Bill Shaikin previews second half of season for Dodgers (video)

New Dodgers owners a tad eager in self-congratulation department