LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Veteran second baseman Jeff Kent will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2008 season, his fourth with the National League team.
MLB.com reported his agent, Jeffrey Klein, verified Kent's return Wednesday in an email to Dodgers
general manager Ned Colletti.
"He is actively pursuing his customary and rigorous off-season conditioning and weight-lifting program, is looking forward to returning for his fourth season with the Dodgers and is very focused on helping his team win the World Series," Klein said.
Kent, a 15-year veteran, is exercising his $9 million player option for 2008.
Last season, he hit .302 with 20 home runs and 79 RBI in 494 at-bats.
The .302 average was his best since 2002, when he played for the National League champion San Francisco Giants.
In 2,177 career games, Kent has a .290 batting average with 365 home runs and 1,459 RBI.
His home run total is the most ever by a second baseman and he was the National League's MVP in 2000 with San Francisco.
