The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t confirmed it, so the Albuquerque Isotopes can’t comment on it.

But it looks like Memorial Day weekend, beyond the obvious reasons, could produce something truly memorable for local baseball fans – National League MVP candidate Matt Kemp said he expects to be playing in Isotopes Park this weekend.

A report on MLB.com hinted strongly that Kemp would fly in for a quick rehabilitation assignment with the Isotopes before rejoining the Dodgers when he is eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday.

	Tuesday Isotopes 8 Grizzlies 7

Kemp “expects to play at Triple-A Albuquerque (this) weekend,” the report said.

The Los Angeles Times’ website Tuesday night said that Kemp was tentatively scheduled to play with Albuquerque on Sunday night and Monday afternoon, before flying back to LA.

After Albuquerque’s 8-7 home win Tuesday night over Fresno, Isotopes general manager John Traub said the parent club has been quiet about any impending moves.

“We haven’t heard anything yet,” Traub said. “We would certainly welcome (Kemp) here.”

A phone call to Dodgers assistant general manager of player development De Jon Watson was not returned Tuesday.

Kemp’s rehab cameo seems to be fait accompli. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told the Times last week that the team wants Kemp to play in at least one minor league game before he returns to the Dodgers. Mattingly did not specify the Isotopes.

Kemp went on the DL at midmonth with a strained left hamstring. He told MLB.com on Monday that he is running at 85 percent and also said he was “eager to play in a minor league rehab assignment.”

Should Kemp drop into our backyard, even for a day or two, it would surely create mammoth buzz, and spike ticket sales during a holiday weekend that traditionally draws solid crowds for the Isotopes.

Moreover, a Kemp appearance in Albuquerque could very much mirror the type of electricity generated the first time Manny Ramirez popped in here, in 2009 when he was then with the Dodgers.

Albuquerque’s current 12-game homestand is its longest of the season. It ends Memorial Day afternoon.

After completing this four-game series with the PCL’s best team, Fresno, on Thursday, the Isotopes welcome division rival Oklahoma City for a four-game set beginning Friday night. There are additional games Saturday night and Sunday night.

Kemp, last year’s runner-up in National League MVP voting to Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, was having a monster season before his DL detour.

He ranks third in the NL in batting (.359), is tied for second in home runs (12), and is tops in slugging percentage (.726) and OPS (1.173).

Oddly enough, as the injury-plagued Dodgers ravage the Isotopes’ roster for assistance during this siege, they have continued to thrive and have the best record in baseball at 30-13 after beating Arizona on Tuesday.

Hairston Coming

While the Isotopes wait to hear about Kemp’s itinerary, it is known that Dodgers utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. is headed this way.

Hairston will be in uniform for Albuquerque tonight and Thursday against Fresno.

He was due to rejoin the Dodgers today after going on the DL. He strained a hamstring May 6 in Chicago. But Mattingly said Hairston wanted a couple of minor league games before he returns from the DL.

Los Angeles expects Hairston back Friday.
— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal