Report: Dodgers OF Matt Kemp may not return until September

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp could be out until September with a sprained left ankle. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp is not healthy enough to return to the lineup because of a sprained left ankle and he may not be ready to return until September, MLB.com reports.

Kemp will be eligible to return Aug. 6, following his third trip to the disabled list this season. He was injured while sliding into home plate in a July 21 game against the Washington Nationals. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti acknowledged that it could be some time before Kemp is ready to rejoin fellow outfielders Carl Crawford, Andre Either and Yasiel Puig on the team's active roster.

"By the time we have the four all ready to play, we'll be a few weeks from the end [of the season]," general manager Ned Colletti said.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the club does not have a timetable for the two-time All-Star's return.

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"We were hoping this was going to be a simple ankle sprain, but it's a lot more serious than that," Mattingly said. "He's been able to do some things, but is having soreness with that. We're still not where we need to be."