Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp underwent a left ankle operation Monday that will limit his off-season training program, according to his agent, Dave Stewart.

Stewart said Kemp is expected to be ready for opening day.

The procedure was performed in North Carolina by famed ankle specialist Robert Anderson. Kemp had torn cartilage removed from his ankle.

Kemp was sidelined for all of the playoffs because of problems with the ankle. Dodgers physician Neal ElAttrache feared that if Kemp continued playing, he could break one of the major weight-bearing bones in his foot.


Kemp sprained the ankle in a home plate collision in Washington on July 21.

He was limited to 73 games this season.

This is the second consecutive winter in which Kemp has had major surgery. He had surgery on his left shoulder last year. He underwent a minor procedure to clean up that same shoulder this month.

Kemp won’t be able to put any weight on his foot for a month, according to Stewart. He will remain limited in what he can do in the month after that.


But Stewart tried to find a positive in the setback, saying Kemp will be able to do the upper-body work he couldn’t do last winter. Kemp will also be able to strengthen his core and hamstrings, the agent said.

“We’re anticipating he’ll be ready for the season,” Stewart said.