Kent Has Little to Say About Back

Jeff Kent can be expansive, as he was a few days ago in San Francisco when he talked at length about topics ranging from Major League Baseball’s steroid testing, to the boos he gets from Giants fans, to his reading material.

He can also be terse, as he was Wednesday when he refused to discuss the lower back stiffness that kept him out of the lineup.

“No,” was all he said when asked about the pain before disappearing into the training room for treatment before the game.

Even his conversation with Manager Grady Little lasted no more than 10 seconds.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of talking with him,” Little said.

As for Kent’s reading material, he has returned to less challenging fare now that he’s done with “Game of Shadows,” the groundbreaking expose on steroid use.

Kent, who lives on a large ranch near Austin, Texas, is reading “Lone Star Law,” a collection of short stories about the Texas Rangers from authors including Louis L’Amour and Elmer Kelton.

An excerpt: “There were two bullet holes in the bank window, and there was blood on the hitching rail where the cashier had fallen while trying to get off a last shot. Lem Pullitt had died there by the rail, but not before telling how he had been shot while his hands were up.”

As for Kent and his sore back, he’ll live, but his lips are sealed for now.

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Little said Kent was available to pinch-hit and that he should be able to play Friday against the Angels. Kenny Lofton, who came out of Tuesday’s game with leg cramps, also should be available.

The absence of Lofton left the Dodgers without a backup outfielder behind Andre Ethier, Jose Cruz Jr. and J.D. Drew. They have had only four on the roster since Jason Repko went on the disabled list May 10.

Utility infielder Ramon Martinez would have played outfield in an emergency.

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Tom Lasorda will receive the Branch Rickey Award, which recognizes exceptional community service. Each of the 30 teams nominates one person and a selection committee votes on the nominees.... Cruz walked twice to give him 26 and put him on a pace to collect more than 100.... Leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal is batting .202 left-handed and .316 right-handed.