Matt Kemp again slowed by ankle

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LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp was a late scratch prior to his team's 1-0 loss Saturday against the visiting Colorado Rockies after feeling discomfort in his left ankle while warming up.

The Dodgers are set to open the National League Division Series on Thursday at either the St. Louis Cardinals or Atlanta Braves.

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Kemp, who led the NL in home runs and RBIs two seasons ago, injured the same ankle July 21 and didn't return until Sept. 16. He was hitting .314 since his return.

Kemp declined to speak in depth to reporters after the game, just saying, "I'll wake up [Sunday] and see how it feels."

Kemp went through a 40-minute workout with the team about three hours before the game and later took batting practice. He was even announced as the starter about 10 minutes before the first pitch, but Skip Schumaker jogged out to center field in the top of the first.

"Just as he went to get loose for the game, he was having trouble," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "At that point, we really didn't want to push it."

Kemp had appeared in the first 11 games since his return.

"We had been trying to get him as many at bats as possible without going too far," Mattingly said. "Obviously, today he had trouble getting loose."

The Dodgers are also trying to work outfielder Andre Ethier back into the lineup in time for the playoffs. He has missed the last two weeks with shin splints near his left ankle.

Dan Arritt is a contributor to ESPNLosAngeles.com

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