Kent (hamstring) is latest to be hurt

Another day, another question mark -- and this time, the Dodger in question isn’t a pitcher.

Jeff Kent suffered what is being called a strained left hamstring in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies Sunday and his status for the upcoming three-game series against the San Francisco Giants is uncertain.

The Dodgers were down to their last out and trailing by four runs when Kent slid head-first into first base for an infield single. Moments later, he had to be escorted off the field by trainer Stan Conte.

Kent said he didn’t know the severity of the strain, but clarified that he was hurt running up the line, not sliding.

“Can’t hurt a hamstring sliding,” said Kent, who will be re-evaluated in Los Angeles.

Kent was four for five with a double and three runs batted in Sunday, raising his post-All-Star break batting average to .460. He has reached base safely in his last 38 games.

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The news was better for Brad Penny than it was for Derek Lowe.

Penny will be the first Dodgers pitcher to face Barry Bonds at Dodger Stadium this week, as Manager Grady Little selected him as the starter for Tuesday’s game against the Giants. Lowe won’t pitch until Saturday, at the earliest.

Penny threw a bullpen session Saturday and said he didn’t feel any lingering pain from the abdominal strain that forced him out of the game Thursday.

“My command was better than it’s been in a while,” Penny said.

Little said Penny only feels discomfort when running, which could be an issue if he has to cover a base or run when hitting. Penny, who has been bothered with the strain for his last couple of starts, had to be taken out after legging out an infield single.

Lowe, who has an irritated left hip joint and had to cut short his start on Wednesday, was prevented from throwing his planned bullpen session on Sunday. He will start Saturday if he can get through his side sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Everything is optimistic right now,” Little said.

Little said that Lowe is still bothered when his landing foot hits the ground when pitching.

Between Penny’s and Lowe’s starts, Little plans to use Mark Hendrickson, Brett Tomko and Chad Billingsley, in that order.

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Bill Robinson, the Dodgers’ minor league hitting coordinator, died Sunday at the age of 64.

Robinson was in his second season with the Dodgers. He spent the previous four years with the Florida Marlins and was their hitting coach when they won the 2003 World Series. He was also the hitting coach for the New York Mets when they won the 1986 World Series.

Robinson was an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1966-83.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com