Colorado Rockies outfielder/designated hitter Matt Kemp has decided not to play in Wednesdays game against the D-backs amid the boycotts sweeping the sports landscape in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake. The Rockies and D-backs are set to talk before first pitch to discuss whether or not both teams will participate in the game. With Kemp unavailable, the club has tabbed Elias Diaz to enter the starting nine at the DH slot. The next chance that Kemp will have to return to action comes Thursday against Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen.
The Colorado Rockies informed outfielder Matt Kemp, utility man Chris Owings and right-handed pitcher Daniel Bard on Friday that they would all make the 2020 Opening Day roster, according to general manager Jeff Bridich. Kemp is the big name here. The 35-year-old veteran became a free agent after the Marlins chose not to add him to their player pool for the upcoming season. Kemp can still hit, but he's obviously no longer in his prime. But there are way worse places to hit than Coors Field, and Kemp could see semi-regular at-bats between the corner outfield spots and designated hitter for the Rockies. He'll be a potential value play as a sleeper in NL-only leagues.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Kemp thinks he can still be one of the better hitters in the big leagues despite signing a minor league contract. Kemp has enjoyed hitting at Coors Field in his career with a .327 batting average, 21 home runs and a 1.005 OPS in 86 games. He hit a cycle there in August of 2015 with the Padres. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star hit just .200 in 20 games with the Reds in 2019, but he was dealing with a rib injury. I still got a lot left in me, a lot left in the tank, Kemp said. There are no guarantees for Kemp in Colorado, but it's certainly not a bad landing spot and it helps that there will be a universal designated hitter and Ian Desmond won't play in 2020. If he carves out a role in the shortened season, he could be worth a flier in deep mixed and NL-only leagues.
The Colorado Rockies are signing outfielder Matt Kemp to a minor league deal on Tuesday after he didn't make the Marlins 60-man player pool for the upcoming season. The Kemp signing comes after outfielder Ian Desmond announced on Monday night that he will not be playing in 2020 due to risks surrounding COVID-19. It's a depth signing for the Rockies, and the 35-year-old Kemp won't be guaranteed anything in his new home. However, the three-time All-Star lands in a great hitting environment at Coors Field, and the universal designated hitter this year opens up another potential spot for at-bats. Kemp will be fighting for playing time with the likes of Sam Hilliard, Raimel Tapia, Garrett Hampson and Brendan Rodgers in Colorado.
Miami Marlins outfielder Matt Kemp was not included on the team's preliminary 60-man player pool list. The Marlins list only has 57 players on it for now, so Kemp still has a chance, but reports say the veteran outfielder just did not make much of an impression on the Marlins during the first spring training. Kemp may benefit from the universal DH rule in 2020, but it looks like his best bet for playing time may be to latch on with a different team.
Miami Marlins outfielder/first baseman Matt Kemp had a rough game on Tuesday, striking out twice and ending up 0-for-4. Kemp is hitting just .200 with a .450 OPS about midway through Grapefruit League play. Some reports say he's fighting for a roster spot while other say manager Don Mattingly has basically handed him a spot already mostly due to his "veteran presence." Regardless of whether he makes the Opening Day roster or not, Kemp won't be much of a fantasy option in any formats this season.
The Miami Marlins signed outfielder Matt Kemp to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on Wednesday. Kemp got only 62 plate appearances in 2019, slashing just .200/.210/.283 with the Cincinnati Reds. He spent most of the rest of the season on the minor league injured list as part of the New York Mets organization. It's a no-risk move for the Marlins, and they'll hope Kemp can regain some of his previous form. This shouldn't knock the Marlins out of the Yasiel Puig and Corey Dickerson sweepstakes either.
New York Mets outfielder Matt Kemp (rib) is on the minor league injured list after experiencing "lingering effects" from his broken rib from his stint with the Reds this year. Kemp hit just .200 with a homer and five RBI with the Reds this year and is batting .235/.278/.324 with a homer and three RBI in eight games with Triple-A. There's no guarantee that he'll come up with the Mets and produce meaningful numbers for fantasy owners, so you can leave him to the waiver wire for now in all leagues.
The New York Mets signed free-agent outfielder Matt Kemp to a minor league deal on Friday, according to sources. The Mets are desperate in their outfield and are starting J.D. Davis, Carlos Gomez and Rajai Davis on Friday with both Michael Conforto (concussion) and Brandon Nimmo (neck) on the injured list and Yoenis Cespedes (ankle) out for the season. Kemp, who hit .200/.210/.283 in 60 at-bats for the Reds this year, is unlikely to make much of an impact in New York or for fantasy teams. He should continue to be left to the waiver wire.
The Cincinnati Reds released veteran outfielder Matt Kemp on Saturday. Kemp, who came over to the Reds in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, saw 62 plate appearances for Cincinnati and slashed .200/.210/.283 with one home run and five RBI. Kemp had been on the injured list with a broken rib since April 22. The veteran has now been traded four times since he signed an eight-year, $160 million contract with the Dodgers back in 2012. It remains to be seen whether another team is willing to take a chance on him.
