One middle infielder has returned while another remains clouded in uncertainty.

While the Pirates are using left-handed starters for both games, Mattingly noted that Saturday starter Francisco Liriano was considerably tougher against the left-handed hitters, as he has limited them to a.205 average this season.

Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick has been reinstated from the disabled list after missing 34 games because of a strained left hamstring.

Kendrick is not in the starting lineup for Friday’s game against the Pirates, but he will be available to come off of the bench. Though eligible to play in that evening’s contest, Kendrick was held back.

“He was great”, Mattingly said.

Kendrick was hitting.396/.420/.583 with two home runs and a 1.003 OPS in the 50 plate appearances before his injury August . 9.

The Dodgers now have 36 players on the active roster, including 17 pitchers.

With minor league seasons over and only one Dodgers’ affiliate still alive in a playoff series (the Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes), the Dodgers opted to activate Kendrick without a formal rehab assignment.

Acquired from the Miami Marlins on July 30 in a three-way trade involving the Atlanta Braves, Latos was 0-3 with a 6.66 earned-run average in six games with the Dodgers, including five starts. “We’re going to try to not just throw him out there every day”. “The one thing we aren’t able to do right now is get three or four rehab games in, so we’re going to be careful to start”. He’s no restrictions. He can do anything.

“I know we do want to be careful with him as far as getting him back in there and not giving him four of five days in a row”.