Kent Is Willing to Move to First

As the Dodgers try to cobble together their best lineup for a pennant push in this injury-riddled season, Jeff Kent said he would accommodate a request to move to first base.

The Dodgers have yet to make such a request, but Manager Jim Tracy has discussed the possibility with Kent, a five-time All-Star second baseman.

“If that’s what it takes, we’ll deal with it every day,” Kent said. “We’ve had a confusing lineup every day. Hopefully, soon, we can resolve that and become consistent. Tracy is trying to do that the best he can.”

Before the Dodgers scratched Kent on Friday because of a sore left wrist -- a throw hit him there in Thursday’s game -- their lineup included Kent at first base, for the third consecutive game. Tracy said Kent was playing there primarily to ease the strain on his sore left hamstring.

Third baseman Jose Valentin leaves today for a minor league rehabilitation assignment, and upon his return they would have the option to play Valentin at third, Antonio Perez at his natural position of second and Kent at first. Since hitting his last home run June 14, first baseman Hee-Seop Choi is batting .161 in 56 at-bats.

Valentin said he hopes to return in one to two weeks, and Tracy said he would make no decisions until Valentin shows he is sound. Even then, Tracy said, matchups against opposing pitchers could factor into each day’s lineup.

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Wilson Alvarez needed 33 pitches to work one scoreless inning for triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday. He said he believes he needs at least one more rehabilitation appearance.

“I feel great, but my control is so bad right now,” said Alvarez, on the disabled list since May 31 because of a sore left shoulder. “I’ve been hitting 90-91 [mph], but I don’t know where the ball is going. ... The balls aren’t even close to the strike zone.”

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The Dodgers activated All-Star shortstop Cesar Izturis and returned reliever Franquelis Osoria to Las Vegas. Oscar Robles batted .440 in Izturis’ absence, so Tracy left Robles atop the lineup. Izturis batted second, the first time he had batted outside the leadoff spot since July 30, 2004, the day before the Dodgers traded Dave Roberts. ... The July 31 game against the St. Louis Cardinals will start at 1 p.m.