Matt Kemp’s physical is causing a stir.
The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to trade Kemp to the San Diego Padres at last week’s Major League Baseball winter meetings. However, the deal has hit a snag because Kemp’s pre-trade physical revealed the outfielder has arthritis in both hips, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
The Padres are continuing to consult with medical experts to determine whether to finalize or void the blockbuster trade involving Kemp, a person familiar with the diagnosis told USA TODAY. ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne added there are a lot of people unhappy that Kemp’s medical information leaked out publicly.
If the Kemp trade falls through, it could have wide-ranging implications. The Dodgers would have to rework their trade with the Philadelphia Phillies involving shortstop Jimmy Rollins because pitching prospect Zach Eflin, who Los Angeles was set to acquire from San Diego before flipping to Philly, would remain with the Padres. San Diego also could visit its three-team trade with the Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays because the Padres were set to acquire catcher Ryan Hanigan, who might no longer be a priority if the Friars take back catcher Yasmani Grandal from the Dodgers.
In short, this whole thing is a mess right now. The trade still could happen, but Kemp’s hips don’t lie.
UPDATE (6:15 p.m. Friday): The Padres announced Thursday that the trade had been finalized, with no revisions to the agreed-upon terms.
Thumbnail photo via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images
