Kent Agrees to Extend Deal

Jeff Kent doesn’t talk much, believing actions speak louder than words.

The second baseman couldn’t have sent a more forceful message than he did Wednesday by signing a contract extension that could keep him a Dodger through the 2008 season.

At that point, he said is “99.99% certain” that he would retire.

“I’m comfortable with the changes we made and I want to be part of it,” he said. “I believe this team is going to win. The longer I stay here, the greater the opportunity to be part of it.

“It’s safe to say I’m proud that I will retire as a Dodger.”

Kent, the all-time home run leader among second basemen, was a bright spot amid the Dodgers’ disastrous 71-91 season in 2005, driving in 105 runs, scoring 100 and hitting 29 home runs while batting .289.

He will receive a base salary of $9 million in 2007 with a $2-million signing bonus to be paid in 2009 and plate-appearance incentives that could reach $750,000. His 2008 salary of $9 million is guaranteed if he has 550 plate appearances in 2007. If he doesn’t reach the plate-appearance level, the Dodgers hold an option at $7 million with a buyout of $500,000.

Overall, the deal is worth a minimum of $11.5 million for one season and a maximum of $22.35 million for two seasons. Kent, 37, will make $9.4 million this year.

“I made my final decision [Tuesday night],” he said. “I’d been wracking my brain, talking to people in the game and my family, getting their perspective. It’s been an emotional spring training for me dealing with this thing.”

Kent said the deciding factor was a conversation with owner Frank McCourt on Tuesday night.

“When I talked to Mr. McCourt earlier in the off-season, I really felt his integrity and passion and desire to put a good team together and put the Dodgers on the map,” he said. “The same sentiments came across this time.”

General Manager Ned Colletti said Kent is “crystal clear” about perhaps moving to first base eventually. However, the Dodgers have no short-term or long-range plans to move him.

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The Dodgers recalled left-handed situational reliever Tim Hamulack two days after he had been optioned to minor league camp and will begin the season with 12 pitchers.

The Dodgers have been increasingly worried about how often closer Eric Gagne will be available. Gagne is coming off elbow surgery and had not pitched two days in a row until Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a 4-3, 10-inning win over the Washington Nationals that left the Dodgers with a record of 15-10-3 in the Grapefruit League, Gagne needed only 11 pitches in the ninth, throwing nine strikes, striking out two and giving up one hit.

“I was anxious, really nervous about it,” Gagne said. “But I threw mostly fastballs and I felt good.”

The decision to keep Hamulack, 29, capped a flurry of activity in the last hours before the team departed for Las Vegas for an exhibition today against the Seattle Mariners.

Non-roster pitchers Brian Meadows and Aaron Sele were told they would not make the team, prompting Meadows to request -- and receive -- his release. Sele, a 13-year veteran, said he will take a few days to decide whether to report to triple-A Las Vegas or ask for his release.

The Dodgers hoped Meadows and Sele would go to the minors and provide insurance against early season injuries. But the Dodgers are so excited about the progress of relievers Hong-Chih Kuo and Franquelis Osoria that they risked losing the two veterans to keep the two youngsters on the roster.

“I’m disappointed [about Meadows],” Colletti said. “But you take the guys you want to start the season with.”

Veteran left-hander Kelly Wunsch probably would have been taken ahead of Hamulack, but Wunsch is experiencing shoulder pain and had a cortisone shot Wednesday.

Hamulack was acquired from the New York Mets with starter Jae Seo for relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll. In his only major league stint of a 10-year pro career, Hamulack gave up six runs, including three home runs, in 2 1/3 innings last season.

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A casualty of the decision to go with 12 pitchers might be infielder Oscar Robles, who could be sent to triple-A unless Rafael Furcal opens the season on the disabled list. Another option would be to send outfielder Jason Repko to triple-A and keep Robles along with Ramon Martinez to play shortstop until Furcal is healthy.

Furcal had an MRI exam and said his back felt better than it did Tuesday when he injured it running the bases, but he isn’t close to being ready to play. It is unclear whether he will recover in time for opening day.

Furcal also said that the pain intensified when he scored on a wild pitch with a headfirst slide. Moments earlier, trainer Stan Johnston and Manager Grady Little consulted with him at third base and allowed him to stay in the game.

“When I was at third it wasn’t bad, but when I scored it made it worse,” Furcal said.

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Pitcher Kurt Ainsworth will have shoulder surgery April 5 and be unavailable until at least August. Ainsworth is signed to a minor-league contract.