Matt Kemp to begin minor league rehabilitation assignment Tuesday

When Matt Kemp starts his minor league rehabilitation assignment for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, he will be met by a capacity crowd at the Epicenter.

The first game of Kemp’s rehabilitation assignment is sold out, a spokesman for the minor league club said.

Kemp confirmed he plans to be Rancho Cucamonga’s designated hitter Tuesday. Sidelined since May 31 with a strained left hamstring, Kemp will play in minor league games right up to the All-Star break, during which he will compete in the Home Run Derby.

Kemp is expected to return to the Dodgers lineup on July 13, their first day back from the break.

Kemp will be around familiar faces in Rancho Cucamonga. Second baseman Mark Ellis and reliever Javy Guerra will also play in the game, which will have a postgame fireworks show.

Ellis started his rehabilitation assignment Saturday. He is expected to be activated Thursday for the start of the Dodgers’ series in Arizona.

Guerra pitched an inning Sunday. He could be ready to be activated after he pitches Tuesday.

In other injury news, Ted Lilly was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

The move cleared a place on the 40-man roster for infielder Luis Cruz, who was promoted from triple-A Albuquerque. Cruz, who has played in parts of three major league seasons for two other teams, was batting .308 with a home run and eight runs batted in for Albuquerque.

Cruz took the place on the active roster that belonged to reliever Shawn Tolleson, who was sent to triple A.

Cruz was in the Dodgers lineup Monday for a game against the Cincinnati Reds. He was starting in place of Dee Gordon, who has made premature exits in two of the last four games because of cramping in his left leg.

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