Kent Suffers a Setback

That barely broken-in first baseman’s mitt tucked in the corner of Jeff Kent’s locker? He probably won’t need it after all.

Plans for the Dodgers’ slugger to be activated from the disabled list this weekend were put on hold because he felt discomfort in his left oblique muscle after taking batting practice the last three days.

“It’s a dull pull,” he said. “I still feel it when I tie my shoes, put on my underwear or lift my suitcase.”

Manager Grady Little had considered using Kent at first base until Nomar Garciaparra comes off the disabled list Wednesday. Now it appears Kent won’t be ready until the Dodgers return home Tuesday, so there is little point in asking him to move from his natural position of second base.

Kent is cautious about returning too soon because he tried to play through the injury in the first series after the All-Star break and aggravated it instead. He suffered the injury July 3, missed six games before the break, then played in five games before going on the disabled list July 18.

“I don’t want to risk having to miss more time again,” he said. “It’s a fine line to walk there and a risky decision. That’s why I’ll be careful.”

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Kent’s continued absence delays two difficult decisions -- creating a spot on the roster for him and finding a place for Julio Lugo in the lineup.

The obvious move when Garciaparra returns is to send rookie first baseman James Loney back to Las Vegas. But when Kent is activated, the Dodgers must decide whether to reduce the pitching staff from 12 to 11 or drop a position player.

Lugo, acquired in a trade Monday from Tampa Bay, is playing second base until Kent returns. At that point, he could become a super-utility player finding his way into the lineup at five different positions.

A natural shortstop, Lugo has also played all three outfield positions during his six-year career. His experience as an outfielder expands the Dodgers’ options when considering a roster move.

The only position players remotely expendable would be outfielder Ricky Ledee, who is a valuable left-handed pinch-hitter, and Ramon Martinez, who has done a commendable job as a utility infielder.

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Reliever Giovanni Carrara was feeling better after a three-day bout with food poisoning he suspects was caused by Chinese food he ate Sunday in L.A. ... Outfielder Jayson Werth, who hasn’t played all season, is scheduled to have a second exploratory operation on his left wrist this week. ... Third base coach Rich Donnelly turned 60 and had several friends and relatives make the drive from his hometown of Steubenville, Ohio, for the game.