Kent Will Have Wrist Surgery

Dodger second baseman Jeff Kent will have surgery Tuesday to clean scar tissue from his right wrist and could sit out the first two to three weeks of spring training.

General Manager Ned Colletti characterized the procedure as “more precautionary than anything else.”

Kent had surgery on his left wrist before spring training in 2000 in a controversial incident. He said the injury occurred while he was washing his truck, but he actually took a spill while riding a motorcycle.

This time the pain was caused by scar tissue that built up over time and began to bother Kent near the end of last season, Colletti said. Although there is no pain when Kent throws a ball or swings a bat, non-baseball activities give him problems.

Kent does not plan to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in early March. Colletti said he would be ready to begin workouts by the second week in March.

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Colletti has not discussed signing free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver with his agent, Scott Boras, in the last two days, although they plan to talk this weekend. The Dodgers have until Sunday night to sign Weaver.

Weaver reportedly is seeking a four- or five-year deal worth about $10 million a year. The Dodgers don’t want to commit to more than three years, and believe the asking price is too high.

There has been speculation that Weaver would accept a one-year deal and pursue free agency again next year. However, Colletti said he has not had any discussions with Boras about signing Weaver for one year.

Trade talks with the Boston Red Sox about starter David Wells have cooled because Boston is insisting on acquiring one of the top Dodger minor league prospects. Boston also wants right-handed reliever Yhency Brazoban, but the Dodgers are reluctant to part with him after trading right-handed relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll to the New York Mets for starter Jae Seo and left-handed reliever Tim Hamulack earlier this week.

The Dodgers are seeking a veteran right-handed relief pitcher to replace Giovanni Carrara and have inquired about free agent Julian Tavarez. Colletti downplayed the prospect of signing free agent Jim Brower, who like Tavarez pitched for the San Francisco Giants when Colletti served as assistant general manager there.

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Former Dodger infielder Mariano Duncan is expected to join Manager Grady Little’s coaching staff. Duncan was the hitting coach for the Dodger triple-A Las Vegas affiliate last season and the hitting coach for the double-A Jacksonville affiliate in 2004. He also has coached at the Dodger academy in the Dominican Republic.