Dodgers President Kasten: 'I expect Donnie to be here a long time'

Don Mattingly isn't in immediate danger of being fired as manager of the last-place Los Angeles Dodgers, with team president Stan Kasten saying none of the players are asking for his dismissal, either.

Kasten says he expects Mattingly to be in charge of the team for a long time and that he expects the team to turn around its disappointing performance, especially if slugger Matt Kemp regains his form.

Mattingly is in the third and final year of his contract, with no extension on the table.

Mattingly on Friday didn't back away from his comments earlier in the week after he benched All-Star right fielder Andre Ethier for the third time in six games during the Dodgers' road trip to Atlanta and Milwaukee.

The Dodgers entered Friday night's game against NL Central-leading St. Louis with a 19-26 record despite a $215 million payroll.