"Matt Kemp said he has watched the home run derby almost every year.

On Monday, he will be a part of it.

"It's all fun," Kemp said.

Kemp, who is tied for second in the National League with 22 home runs, was officially invited to the contest by NL captain Prince Fielder.

Kemp and Prince will be joined on the NL team by Rickie Weeks of the Milwaukee Brewers and Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kemp said he would take bullpen catcher Rob Flippo to Phoenix with him as his pitcher.

"He throws BP to me every day," Kemp said. "We've been talking about it for the past three years. I told him if I ever made it, he was going to come with me. He's a great guy, somebody I see at the ballpark every day. He always gets me ready for the games."

Manager Don Mattingly downplayed concerns that Kemp's season could be derailed by his participation in the contest that is part of the All-Star game festivities.

"I've heard stories that you mess your swing up and all that but I'm not buying it," Mattingly said.

Garland is out for the year

Jon Garland won't pitch again this season.

The Dodgers' fifth starter is scheduled to undergo a season-ending shoulder operation next week. Trainer Stan Conte said Garland's recovery is expected to take six months.

"The fact that he couldn't progress in his throwing program gave us no choice," Conte said.

Garland was 1-5 with a 4.33 earned-run average in nine starts. He last pitched June 1."