Kent might be out of opener

PHOENIX -- Jeff Kent’s availability for next week’s season opener grew more doubtful Saturday when his strained right hamstring failed to react well to extended rest and a cortisone shot administered five days ago.

“He was disappointed because he thought he would have more freedom than he had,” Manager Joe Torre said of Kent, who tried some light jogging before the Dodgers’ 4-2 Cactus League loss to the Angels. “He thought it would be better. He just didn’t feel like he could really stretch out.”

Kent hasn’t played since March 4 and time is running out for the Dodgers, who must make decisions about putting Kent, their starting second baseman, and third baseman Nomar Garciaparra on the disabled list.

Garciaparra hasn’t played since breaking a bone in his right hand March 7. Torre called Garciaparra’s availability for Monday’s opener “remote.”

Kent took part in infield drills and batting practice Saturday, then took half a dozen at-bats against Dodgers relievers Joe Beimel and Jonathan Broxton in a simulated game, driving one ball to the center-field wall.

But Torre said he wanted to see Kent run hard from first to third before he signs off on putting him in the lineup, and that test could be days off after Saturday.

Kent said earlier in the day that he was pointing toward the opener but didn’t discount the possibility of beginning the year on the disabled list.

“We’re in a window of opportunity here to get ready,” he said. “It’s absolutely taken longer than I thought it would to heal [but] I don’t want this lingering all year long.”

Who’s on third?

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kent and Garciaparra, the Dodgers appear unwilling to give away a prospect or take on a hefty contract to plug a hole for what could be only a short time.

And although the crop of available players figures to grow in the coming days as teams trim their rosters, the Dodgers say they are committed to giving Tony Abreu and rookies Chin-lung Hu and Blake DeWitt long looks before going outside the organization.

Abreu was impressive Saturday, making three dazzling defensive plays at second base, and DeWitt drove in the Dodgers’ first run with a double. Hu took ground balls at third base before the game then entered the contest at that position in the seventh and was tested immediately when Reggie Willits bunted up the third base line for a hit.

Lowe is sharp

Right-hander Derek Lowe turned in his best effort of the spring, giving up an unearned run and four hits in six innings and setting down the first 10 Angels in order.

“It was more of a game that I would have liked to have seen earlier in spring training. [I] was able to throw strikes for the most part,” said Lowe, who had given up 12 runs in his previous 11 innings.

Not as successful was closer Takashi Saito, who followed Lowe to the mound and gave up three runs, two coming on a towering two-run home run by catcher Mike Napoli off a high slider.

It was the second consecutive poor outing by Saito, whose spring-training debut was delayed until March 15 because of a tender right calf.

Full house

Saturday’s standing-room-only crowd of 9,615 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium marked the third straight sellout for the Dodgers, who have yet to play in front of an empty seat in Arizona.

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com