DODGERS NOTEBOOK: KEMP'S SURGE HAS A HALF-LIFE.

Byline: ARAM TOLEGIAN

Staff Writer

Matt Kemp's torrid second-half start might make the 22-year-old burgeoning slugger more of a mainstay in manager Grady Little's everyday lineup.

Technically, Kemp isn't a full-time player, and he didn't start Sunday despite smacking the go-ahead home run in Saturday's win over the New York Mets. Kemp entered Sunday's game in the ninth inning and went 0 for 2.

With Kemp's fingerprints appearing more and more on Dodger victories, the question for Little is how much longer will it be before Kemp is officially an everyday starter?

"You don't rule out anything," Little said. "This guy is a good player and he's been doing a lot this homestand."

Kemp is hitting .374 with six home runs and 23 RBIs. He's arguably been the team's best hitter since the All-Star break, going 12for 31 with three homers and 10RBIs. But with Juan Pierre entrenched in center field and veteran Luis Gonzalez holding his own in left, Kemp spends most of his time splitting starts with fellow youngster Andre Ethier in right.

"It's quite a luxury and it enables you to give them all some time off," Little said of the team's outfield depth.

On most other teams, Kemp would be a starter and probably would hit higher than his usual bottom-of-the-order slot with the Dodgers. Although he probably couldn't do much more to present his case for an everyday role, Kemp is content with amount of playing time he's been getting.

"I know I'm going to get into every game at some point to play defense or get one or two at-bats," Kemp said. "It's just not that big of a deal. We're winning games and we're all hitting the ball pretty well. It's fine with me. I always stay ready."

Saito day to day: Closer Takashi Saito was not brought in for save opportunity for the second consecutive game because of a sore back and remains day-to-day. He is scheduled to have an MRI today on his right shoulder blade.

Saito was evaluated before Sunday's game and deemed not ready. But Little ruled out a trip to the disabled list for his All-Star closer.

"It's not that serious," Little said.

Saito will fly to Houston following the procedure and join the team before today's game against the Astros.

Jonathan Broxton took Saito's place in the closer's role, and blew a save Sunday after he allowed an unearned run in the ninth to tie the score.

Wolf on the mend: Randy Wolf, who has been on the disabled since July 4 with a sore shoulder, threw Sunday and will make a rehab start on Wednesday for Single-A Inland Empire. Wolf is expected to throw 60-65 pitches.

The left-hander speculated he'd be back on either July 31 or August1. Little was a little more vague before Sunday's game.

"We're not far that along yet, we have to see how it goes," said Little, who added that Wolf threw a full bullpen session on Sunday for 10-12 minutes.

Lowe on track to start Wednesday: Derek Lowe remains scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Astros despite throwing an inning in relief on Sunday against the Mets.

"It was his day to throw on the side," Little said. "We just held off on him throwing on the side to have him pitch in the game."

Little said he resisted the temptation of using Lowe longer on Sunday because "we need him much more for six or seven innings on Wednesday."

Lowe's original opponent on Wednesday, Astros ace Roy Oswalt, was scratched due to chest irritation.